BECOME A MENTOR
We’re not looking for a few perfect women or men as mentors. We are looking for people willing to admit they are not perfect: people willing to share the truth about the struggles all man faces: people willing to join our communities on a shared journey to be the best folks they can be.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
We build communities of people who model what it takes to be a mature, healthy person. Nobody will be declined for financial reason. We are inclusive, transparent, and culturally adaptive.
We don’t tell kids how to be good people; we hold space for them to explore.
We don’t give advice or lectures.
We create trust by telling the truth about our struggles and our successes. This gives the kids permission to talk about the struggles they face on their journey to adulthood.
We praise children for their unique gifts and support them when they screw up.
We ask kids what kind of person they want to be, and encourage and support them on their journey to become that.
"THE MENTOR TRAINING WITH STEFAN PROVIDED ME WITH A NEW APPROACH, ALMOST A NEW LANGUAGE OF AWARENESS TO RELATE TO PEOPLE AND YOUTH SPECIFIC. IT ALSO PUTS THOSE I RELATE TO INTO A DIFFERENT POSITION OF RESPONDING AND ENGAGING WITH ME. THE MENTOR TRAINING HAS A LASTING, POSITIVE IMPACT ON ALL MY RELATIONSHIPS."
JERRY HATCHET, DIRECTOR OF TENNIS, KNOWLWOOD TC, MONTECITO, CALIFORNIA
SELECTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
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The men and women who are GenDerations mentors have completed the mentor training program, participate in monthly supervision meetings (MentoRINGS), can provide a clean background check, and who are generally have the time and interest for volunteering.
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Through the school program GenDerations mentors present “real life in the classroom,” often with girls and boys separated by gender.
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Mentors live or work within the school surroundings and nearby communities.
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They are trained by GenDerations within the framework of social responsibility programs through their employers.
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The employer exempts them from work for several hours per week.
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The volunteer concept has proven itself for 15 years in various European countries. All mentors are individually interviewed, selected for talents and abilities, and after an extensive competency assessment, they repeatedly go through self-evaluations and evaluations by others.
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All mentors meet frequently for continuing training and for exchanges of mentoring experiences once or twice a month.