Definitions

Mentor:
A wise and trusted friend and guide.

Mentoring:
A committed relationship between an adult and youth that is focused on developing the character and the capabilities of the young person.

Informal Mentoring:
A natural or unstructured connection between a caring adult and a young person that validates the youth and creates a safe, supportive and positive relationship outside of an organized, mentoring focused program (e.g., family/extended family members, neighbors, coaches, teachers, adults at church, etc.).

Formal Mentoring:
A connection between a caring adult and a young person that validates the youth and creates a safe, supportive, and positive relationship where the participants come together through an organized mentoring-focused program (e.g., community agency programs, school tutoring programs, youth organizations, organized church programs, etc.).

A mentor may play many roles:
Guide, friend, listener, cheerleader, confidant, responsible adult, coach, tutor, link to other cultures, attitudes and behaviors, brother/sister.

A mentor's role is not to act as a:
Savior, foster parent, therapist, parole officer, or a cool peer.

Recipe for Mentoring:
A little bit of time
A heart full of caring
Two good listening ears
A handful of encouragement
An ounce of understanding
And a whole lot of patience
Mix all of the ingredients together to make a difference in a child's life