Mentor Resource Library

Start a Chapter

Click on the links below for resources for mentor training, information on postsecondary education, opportunities for your mentees and great websites!

Mentee Activities

Is your mentee looking to get involved in the community? Have them join the Boy Scouts Venturing Program which has career exploration, outdoor adventure and just lots of fun activities. To find out what is happening this week, contact the Venturing office at 431-9278.

Graphic Novel on Bullying
The Newspaper in Education department of the Omaha World Herald has developed a specific activity on bullying for mentors and mentees. This activity will generate discussion on the issue of bullying whether your mentee is being bullied, the bully or witnessed bullying. If your mentee is experiencing bully, please contact the school coordinator or TeamMates Coordinator to seek assistance.

Mentee Resources

Scholarship Opportunities
Help your students take the next step to post-secondary education through the EducationQuest Scholarship Fund. 25 TeamMates Nominations are allowed each semester. This fall's nominations are due by September 12. Click on the link for more information about how to nominate your students!
Education Quest
Give your mentee the tools they need to find a career and find scholarships for postsecondary education. A great website of resources and it is never too early to help your mentee to start planning.
KnowHow2Go
From the time students are in middle school, mentors can begin to help young people get ready for post-secondary education. Click on the link above for a wealth of resources and weblinks for mentors, mentees and coordinators. Know How 2 Go is a nationwide campaign to help students gain access to college.

Mentor Resources

Paving the Way for Success in High School and Beyond: The Importance of Preparing Middle School Students for the Transition to Ninth Grade
This brief presents an overview of issues surrounding the ninth grade transition: why it is so important; why many middle school students find it so difficult; traits related to a successful transition; and what schools can do to ease difficulties in the transition.
http://www.edmentoring.org/pubs/factsheet24.pdf
An MRC Factsheet with helpful information
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
As volunteers in the schools, mentors are mandatory reporters of neglect or abuse. If you suspect a young person is in danger call the Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline 1-800-652-1999.
Mentoring Adolescents
Aren't Mentors for Kids?
Building Trust and Attachment
Let's Get Real - Positive Communitication
Setting Healthy Boundaries
The influence of Culture
Activity: What's Hot & What's Not?
Plan to Meet Outside of School Form
This form must be approved by the TeamMates Coordinator and signed by the parent before any meeting takes place outside of school.
Keeping Matches in Touch Over the Summer
Keeping school-based matches
connected during the school year is
(relatively) easy. But how do you keep
the match alive and healthy during the
summer, when distractions are many
and the consequences of not staying in
touch can be severe? Keeping Matches
in Touch Over the Summer Months
suggests ways to keep the match
engaged and ready to grow when the
school year resumes.
http://www.ppv.org/ppv/publications/assets/269_publication.pdf
This brief presents an overview of issues surrounding the ninth grade transition: why it is so important; why many middle school students find it so difficult; traits related to a successful transition; and what schools can do to ease difficulties in the transition.

Mentor Training

Metro Omaha Mentor Training Sessions
Updated with 2010 training dates
Career and College Exploration Training
This PowerPoint presentation for mentors of high school students offers information and activity suggestions for exploring both careers and college opportunities.
High School Mentor Training-Making Connections
A training PowerPoint especially designed for mentors of high school students. Use this and the supplemental materials to enhance your high school mentoring experience.
Basic Skill Resource Packet
This packet includes activites for mentors and youth to practice time and money management, laundry skills and general life skills.
Resources for Mentors of High School Students
This packet contains general information for mentors including helpful websites and stages of development for youth.
Social Skills Resource Packet
This packet includes activities for exploring basic social skills such as making introductions, writing thank you's, phone skills and positive interpersonal skills.
Preparing for Success Resource Packet
This packet will help mentors assist students in preparing for employment and post-secondary education.
Skills You Need to be Above the Influence Packet
This packet provides information, websites and guidelines for helping teens practice resistance and decision-making skills.

Reading Resources

Reading with Mentees

Research

For research in areas specific to mentoring, go to the National Mentoring Partnership's research corner at mentoring.org. The National Mentoring Partnership has a comprehensive searchable database on up to date research.

Graduation Study
The Gates Foundation conducted a study on the issue of increasing drop-out rates across the country and found several critical factors in keeping kids in school - one of which is a caring adult such as a mentor.
School-Based Research
Big Brother's Big Sister's conducted a study on their school-based mentoring program in 2007. While the BBBS school-based model differs from TeamMates, some important findings apply to all school-based mentoring programs.
SRI Study on Omaha Youth
SRI International conducted a survey to determine the issues facing Omaha's youth. A group of concerned Omaha citizens commissioned the study and are working to provide additional resources for Omaha youth through Building Bright Futures.

Scholarships

Click on the link below to access all scholarship opportunities and preparation for post-secondary education.

Scholarship Opportunities

Summer Opportunities

Website Resources

Who Mentored You?
Nationally known celebrities share stories about the mentors who changed their lives.
National Mentoring Partnership
The national clearinghouse for mentoring. Research, statistics and best practices of mentoring as well as great gifts are found on this site.
Mentor Youth
A website resource for mentors with tips of the week, helpful resources, and an opportunity to ask an expert.
Target Bully
Is your mentee a bully or being bullied? This website is a helpful tool in understanding the role of bullying in the schools and how you can help.
Dream It - Do It!
Learn more about the job or internship opportunities in Nebraska's manufacturing industries. If your TeamMate can Dream It, they can Do It!
Facts about Child Abuse
Information from Project Harmony about recognizing child abuse, the grooming process and tips for parents (also helpful for mentors.)

Books

"Sparks" by Peter Benson
How parents (and mentors) can help ignite the hidden strengths of teenagers. Based on the 40 Developmental Asset research, this book is a must read for mentors!
"7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens" by Sean Covey
"Stand By Me" by Jean Rhodes