Just Friends Volunteer Mentor

Job Description

The Just Friends Program is a peer mentoring and friendship program that matches teens with developmental disabilities (e.g., Down Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, Autism, etc.) to teens without disabilities.  Due to the negative stereotypes that individuals with developmental disabilities experience, Just Friends was created to bring social, recreational, and friendship opportunities to these teenagers.  The opportunity to interact with teens without disabilities in ‘typical’ teenage activities is few and far between for many individuals with developmental disabilities who join Just Friends.

Volunteer Mentor Role

• Take the lead in supporting another peer through a mentoring relationship
• Serve as a positive role model and friend
• Be actively involved with the other person’s interests and life experiences
• Involve the other person in your interests and life experiences
• Build the relationship by planning and participating in activities together
• Build self-esteem
• Help set goals and work toward achieving them

Time Commitment

• Make a one-year commitment
• Get together twice (2) per month to participate in social/recreational activities with the individual with whom you are matched (activities may be completed during the day, evening, or on weekends)
• Communicate weekly via telephone or email
• Attend two (2) Just Friends group events throughout your one-year commitment

Participation Requirements

• Be between the ages of 13 and 18 years old
• Reside in the Metropolitan Omaha/Council Bluffs area
• Have an interest in making a difference in another individual’s life
• Be willing to adhere to all program requirements
• Be willing to complete the application and screening process
• Be dependable and consistent in meeting the time commitments
• Be willing to communicate regularly with program staff, submit activity information and hours, and take constructive feedback regarding mentoring activities
• Not use illicit drugs, controlled substances, or alcohol while participating in program activities
• Have access to an automobile (whether you can drive or have a dependable family member transport you) and auto insurance

Desirable Qualities

• Open minded
• Compassionate
• Patient
• Motivated

Benefits

• Develop a new friendship
• Personal fulfillment through contribution to your community and an individual
• Satisfaction in helping someone mature and progress in life
• Develop leadership skills
• Gain a better understanding of people with developmental disabilities
• Gain information about the field of social services as a career option
• Training session, group activities, and educational opportunities
• Meeting other volunteer mentors
• Personal ongoing support to help the relationship succeed
• Access to community events at no cost or low cost to individuals
• Potential for state and local awards
• Potential for scholarship monies
• Additional activity for college/work resume
• Fulfill community services hours for school or clubs

Application and Screening Process

• Written ‘Volunteer Mentor’ Application
• Personal interview
• Driving record check (if applicable)
• Submit two (2) letters of recommendation
• Attend a two and a half hour training session (held the last Sunday of every month)

Reports to:

Mentoring Services Director

For more information, contact Lisa Dougherty, Mentoring Services Director, at 346-5220 ext. 22 or ldougherty@olliewebbinc.org

What is a Mentor?

• the word Mentor comes from the Greek language and means a wise guide
• traditionally, a mentor was an older, more experienced person, who became responsible for grooming a younger person to fill a role
• from the Middle Ages art, craft and commerce were learned in a master/apprentice relationship, e.g. a shoemaker training another in the art of making shoes
• still today apprentices learn a trade/job skills from those more experienced than themselves
• a mentor of adolescents takes on a more challenging role than the master/apprentice relationship. A mentor will, hopefully, be both a friend and a role model to the mentee at a time in his/her life when the influence of peers is of the utmost importance.

The Mentor IS

• a friend
• a motivator
• a guide
• a coach
• a tutor
• a companion
• a resource
• a confidant
• a listener
• a cheerleader
• a supporter
• an advocate
• an advisor
• a sounding-board
• a networker
• a negotiator
• a role model

The Mentor IS NOT

• a trained counselor
• a therapist
• a saviour
• a cool peer
• a parole officer
• a foster parent
• a bank/ATM machine
• a mentee's scheming sidekick
• a mentee's private secretary
• a taxi
• a social worker
• a personal adviser
• a parent
• a baby sitter
• a disciplinarian
• a psychologist
• a psychiatrist
• a nag

"The value of the mentoring process lies in watching a person of genuine wisdom and character surmount obstacles, solve problems and overcome mistakes. The secret to profoundly influencing others as a mentor lies in honesty, transparently opening our lives to inspection warts and all.” - Ron Lee Davis