"Mentoring Works" Summit

Breakout Sessions

Two Breakout Sessions are available for all participants. Choose your own, or follow the suggested tracks below. When you register you will be asked to rank your top three choices. You will be informed of the two workshops you are registered for on the day of the event.

For Community Leaders:

A. Business Mentoring 101: How to Get Your Workplace and Employees Involved in Mentoring

Learn from experienced business leaders about the Business Mentoring Alliance and the Return on Investment of getting your company involved in mentoring. Learn how to start a workplace mentoring program to benefit a local school or after school program and considerations like staff time required, the importance of leader support and involvement, and other costs.

Presented by Allan R. Colletta (Siemens), and Stephanie Ferrell (Connecting Generations, home of the Creative Mentoring Program)

B. “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child”: How to Recruit Mentors in your Place of Worship or Business

Hear how energy and passion were the catalyst for starting two successful mentoring programs, followed by action steps and practical tips for leading a successful kick-off.

Presented by Stacey Altemus (WSFS Cash Connect) and Rabbi Michael Beals (Temple Beth Shalom)

C. Building a Successful State Mentoring Partnership

Mentoring Partnerships are uniquely designed to serve as a state’s leading advocate, expert resource and clearinghouse for youth mentoring. These catalytic organizations collaborate with all community sectors while helping to leverage resources and galvanize existing mentoring programs. Over the past 20 years MENTOR has built and convened a strong network of State Mentoring Partnerships to expand quality mentoring so that more young people achieve their fullest potential. This session will outline the role and structure of a successful State Mentoring Partnership; review successful models; and discuss recommendations for achieving increased quality, capacity and scale for mentoring in Delaware.

Presented by Linda Stewart (MENTOR, the National Mentoring Partnership)

For Practitioners:

D. Recruiting Mentors: A Practical Guide to Getting the Right People into your Program

This working session will help new and existing mentoring programs focus recruitment efforts to recruit the “right” mentors. Participants will work through a recruitment statement and strategy as well as talk with representatives from other programs about successful strategies.

Presented by Rachel Markowitz (Creative Mentoring) and Jeanne Kasey (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware).

E. How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice^TM by MENTOR The National Mentoring Partnership

Now in it's third edition, the widely-used Elements of Effective Practice ^TM were created using evidence-based practices that are strongly associated with positive outcomes for mentored youth. This session will provide an overview of the Elements which includes six evidence-based standards addressing mentor and mentee recruitment; screening; training; matching; monitoring and support; and closure. Participants will learn about strategies and practical advice in building a new mentoring program or strengthening an existing one focusing on program design and planning; program management; and program evaluation.

Presented by Dr. Clara Carter (Maryland Mentoring Partnership)

F. Show Me the Money: Funding Opportunities for Mentoring Programs

Funding a mentor coordinator is more difficult than ever before. Learn about new Federal funds that are and may be coming to Delaware to support mentoring, including Federal Pass Thru Funds and AmeriCorps opportunities for 2010-11 school year.

Presented by Rich Kapolka (Connecting Generations), Joe Duffy (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware), and Jim Purcell (Communities in Schools)

G. High School Students as Mentors: How to Get High School Student Mentors Mentoring at Your Site

A step-by-step model of what it takes to establish a program will be presented. Learn what supports are necessary to get high school students involved with your mentoring program and the unique set of circumstances that arise when working with high school students.

Presented by Teena Sakers (Brick Mill Elementary School) and Iazia Jones McTeer (Creative Mentoring)

H. Ask the Experts

Expert practitioners answer questions regarding the effective operation of a site-based mentoring program.

Panel includes Rachel Markowitz (Creative Mentoring), Jenn DeHoff (Mt. Pleasant Elementary School), and Tara Adams (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware). Moderated by Lucy O'Donnell (DAPI)

I. E-Mentoring

Learn how e-mentoring differs from traditional mentoring, and the advantages, disadvantages, and other things to consider when setting up an e-mentoring program.

Presented by Bill Ward

J. District Wide Mentoring Programs

Learn how to get your school district involved in mentoring, from getting district-wide support to appropriate staffing and funding. Learn about how school districts in Delaware have successfully implemented mentoring district wide.

Presented by Tony Marchio (Appoquinimink School District), Ivan Neal (Indian River School District), and Ella Burton (Brandywine School District)

For Active Mentors:

K. Building Your Mentee’s Self-Esteem

This working session will help new and existing mentors focus on strategies to build their mentee’s self-esteem. Discussions will focus on the benefits of the development of self-esteem and how it is linked to social and academic success.

Presented by Beverli Simms-Jackson (Creative Mentoring)

L. Mentor Round Table

This interactive session will give mentors a chance to talk with other mentors about successes and challenges. Additional training needs for veteran mentors will also be discussed.

Presented by Beverli Simms-Jackson (Creative Mentoring)

M. Activities for Mentors

Mentors and mentor coordinators who want new ideas to keep their mentoring activities fresh and fun can learn from experienced school coordinators and volunteers. Find out ways to support academic needs from teacher input, while keeping the mentoring sessions child-based and child-driven.

Moderated by Gena Spratt (Communities in Schools)

Other:

N. Mentoring Children with an Incarcerated Parent

This session will educate participants on the design of this program. The specific needs of this target population will be identified and outlined

as well as how children are identified, matched and monitored. Participants will learn the requirements needed to work with these special

children and what makes this program unique from other site-based mentoring programs.

Presented by Edwina Bell and Samuel Harbison (Professional Counseling Resources, Churches Take a Corner)

O. Permanent Connections for Delaware’s Foster Youth: The Need, The Goal, and The Impact!

This session will educate participants on the unique challenges of youth in the foster care system. Participants will be formally introduced to the importance of permanent connections for these youth and how they can make a positive impact.

Presented by Felicia Kellum (West End Neighborhood House, Inc.) and Christina Jones-Bey (Peoples Place)

P. Faith Based Mentoring

A primer for understanding how to create and operate a mentoring program with faith as its foundation. Is your church or faith-based organization interested in mentoring as an outreach or a service to your congregation? Have you wondered how the separation of church and state would affect your in-school program, or have you wondered if it’s possible to find funding for such a program? Bring all your questions!

Presented by Seth Baker (Youth for Christ) and Rob Prestowitz (Urban Promise)

Q. After School Mentoring Programs

This session will focus on mentoring programs that take place in after school programs and the challenges, benefits, and differences from in-school programs.

Presented by Leslie Acker-Rowe (Cathedral Choir School), Phil Arendall and Antonia Deluz (Boys and Girls Club), and Chandra Pitts (One Village Alliance)

R. Community Based Mentoring- Strategies for Effective Programs

What is Community-Based mentoring and what are the important things to consider when planning a community-based mentoring program? This workshop will provide an overview of community-based mentoring – including Basic Standards and Best Practices.

Presented by Mary Fox and Monet Tillman (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware)

For High School Students:

Click here for information about high school student leaders' involvement in the Summit.