Mentor – Youth Mentorship Program (Volunteer)

Job Title:        Mentor – Youth Mentorship Program

Position:         Volunteer – Approximately 3 Hours per week

Start Date:      October/November (applications accepted on a rolling basis)

Location:        West Toronto Youth Hub

Yorktown Family Services is a community-based non-profit social services agency dedicated to providing effective, accessible, quality mental health treatment, prevention and out-reach services to children, youth, women and families in the former City of York. We are uniquely organized to deliver services through two independent but integrated organizations: Infant, Child, and Youth Mental Health & West Toronto Youth Hub – a Children’s mental health centre, and Violence Against Women Services – a Shelter for women and their children who are fleeing an abusive relationship.

The Youth Mentorship Program at Yorktown Family Services provides mentees between the ages of 12-25 with access to a consistent, caring adult (Mentor) who supports them in achieving goals and outcomes related to employment/entrepreneurship, educational achievement and/or civic engagement/leadership. It is our goal to support youth (Mentees) towards making healthy and safe life choices, increase their resiliency, and assist the progress towards identified goals.

At YFS the goal of the Youth Mentorship program is to create new ways of connecting meaning for youth by promoting the health and well-being of young people in their communities. It builds on youth experience and knowledge while providing opportunities for youth in becoming more resilient as they grow holistically and experience greater self-esteem.

Through mentoring young people in our community will have access to caring and supportive relationships that will allow them to realize their fullest potential and life goals in the areas of education, employment, entrepreneurship and civic engagement.

Overview: The mentor serves as a caring adult in the youths’ life and is available to listen, validate, and coach their mentee about navigating life and negotiating relationships as a young adult.

Mentor Duties/Responsibilities:

1. Work alongside mentee weekly with additional ad hoc communication via telephone, email and social media as needed
2. Co-develop mentorship plan with mentee which includes goals, actions activities can include exploring opportunities for learning, meeting educational or employment goals, defining needed resources etc.
3. To be a caring adult to mentee through coaching them appropriately to manage relationships and navigating life as a young adult
4. Encourage and support youth to set and meet educational, employment, and community engagement goals
5. Facilitate and provide feedback to mentees during each session
6. Engage, encourage and conduct goal setting with mentee to successfully complete mentorship plan
7. Complete program surveys, evaluations, and other relevant administrative tasks
8. Work collaboratively, and in consultation with the Youth Mentorship Program Coordinator to best inform ongoing engagement with the mentee
9. Participate in relevant professional development opportunities
10. Attend group events monthly

Mentor Requirements/Qualification:

1. Be over the age of 18
2. Vulnerable Police Reference Check Clearance (VSS)
3. Enjoy interacting, engaging, and encouraging youth
4. Good Listening skills
5. Commitment to the role (minimum 12 months, estimated 3 hours weekly)
6. Complete pre-screening process (application, interview, references, assessment etc.)

Matching Process:

• Matches will be made on the consideration of age, interests, cultural and other identities etc.
• Care will be given to ensure that both mentors and mentee feel comfortable with their match and have opportunities to get to know one another .

Benefits for Mentors:

1. Training in an array of areas such as mental health, communication, youth engagement and development, anti-oppression, etc.
2. Increased skills in working with youth and mental health.
3. Support programming staff to deliver meaningful opportunities to youth in a safe and supportive environment.
4. Gain new transferable skills and work experience to enhance professional profile.
5. Meet and interact with new people and receive networking opportunities.

Yorktown Family Services is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity. Please submit your resume and cover letter to hr@yorktownfamilyservices.com or by fax to 437-290-5523. Please quote “Mentor-Youth Mentorship Program” in the subject line.

Yorktown values the diversity of people and communities and is committed to equity and inclusion.  As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the diversity of our communities.

Yorktown Family Services welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.