Questions to Ask Yourself

The questions below should help prepare and encourage you to begin your mentoring journey and exploration. The MentorYouth.com staff will pray that God leads you to the right mentoring opportunity in your community!

1. Do I like or have a concern for young people?

2. Do I need some clarification on what a mentor is?

3. Am I willing to carve out some time in my life to be a mentor?

4. Am I willing to share my life’s story and experiences?

5. Is my age a barrier to mentoring?

6. Am I nervous about being a mentor?

7. Am I concerned I might not relate to my mentor match?

8. Do I have an idea what I will do as a mentor?

9. Am I concerned about how long of a commitment I will have to make?

10. Do I know how mentoring relates to my faith?

1. Do I like or have a concern for young people?

If you have made it this far in considering the idea of mentoring, most likely there is a place in your heart for young people.
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2. Do I need some clarification on what a mentor is?

A mentor is a trusted friend, an advisor and sometimes a teacher. A mentor is someone who listens when everyone else talks. A mentor is someone who very simply shares his/her life with another person.
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3. Am I willing to carve out some time in my life to be a mentor?

Mentoring is about building a relationship and investing your time and life into someone else. Under, Find an Opportunity on this website, each program will list their suggested time commitment. Most likely you will be able to find a program to fit your life and schedule.
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4. Am I willing to share my life’s story and experiences?

Mentoring relationships are about walking together through life, its joys and struggles, but in the natural flow of friendship and building trust. Mentoring a young person is more about them than you. Sharing some of your life lessons at the right time will be important for your mentee.
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5. Is my age a barrier to mentoring?

Am I too old?
Many of the best mentors are those who are more mature and stable. They have lived life and have much to share with a younger person. Your maturity is a strength and benefit to young person.
Am I too young?
MentorYouth.com requires you to be 18 years old. If you are younger than 18, try volunteering in your local church. Usually churches need help in lower age classes. This will provide good practice in your mentoring journey in the future.
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6. Am I nervous about being a mentor?

Fear of stepping out of our comfort zones is natural. Not going forward because of fear will only rob you and your potential mentee of what God would have for you both. The Lord will guide and direct you as you begin this journey to influence the life of another human being.
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7. Am I concerned I might not relate to my mentor match?

Most young people are not wanting or needing you to be like their friends. You don’t have to dress like them or listen to the same type of music. You just have to really care about them as a person. Your local program will give some training to prepare you and, of course, MentorYouth.com will have several resources to help you grow as a mentor.
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8. Do I have an idea what I will do as a mentor?

Mentors spend time with their young person doing a variety of things. It could include academic tutoring, maybe visiting a college together or even just having a soda and talking about life. Some details will be specific to the mentoring program you choose.
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9. Am I concerned about how long of a commitment I will have to make?

Time commitments usually range from 6 months to 1 year. Experience has shown that a commitment of one year is usually more beneficial to the student and the mentor. You may find that after the time commitment expires you will want to continue your mentoring relationship either formally or informally.
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10. Do I know how mentoring relates to my faith?

No matter what local program you serve, your faith goes with you. However, the type of program you choose will dictate how verbal you can be about your faith. Some MentorYouth.com programs are faith-based which means there is an underlying mission for evangelism. The school and community based programs don’t have that mission. They’re looking for adults to care for, guide and possibly teach young people certain life skills. In those cases, your faith is expressed in the quality of your love, patience and friendship. As a “salt and light” presence, always be ready to respond, when asked, what motivates your love and gives you hope. In your faithfulness of service, opportunities will present themselves.
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