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MENTOR FOR YOUTH

Volunteer opportunity

Volunteer opportunity posted by: Youth Leadership Academy

Posted on: May 22, 2013

More / LessVolunteer Opportunity description

Organization: Youth Leadership Academy, 501c3 non-profit organization serving at-risk youth in Elgin Community College District 509 (includes IL school districts U-46, D300, D301 and D303)

Location: Elgin Community College – Building K, Room 109; 410 Renner Drive, Elgin, IL 60123

Web site:

Mission of the YLA: We engage and inspire youth to maximize their potential to become successful community leaders through the access and responsible utilization of post-secondary education.

Position summary: A "mentor" is someone who guides but does not fall into the category of parent or peer. This guide is able to act as an advisor/champion and coach/tutor whose generosity, world experience, and concern will help our cadets grow to become future leaders in our very complex adult world.

Becoming a mentor in YLA involves a significant commitment -- and they are considered significant members of the YLA staff team! The minimum commitment is attending two Saturday mornings monthly starting August 24, 2013 through May 10, 2014. These mornings (8:00 am to 12:00 noon) are spent at Elgin Community College at the YLA's leadership training sessions. In addition there are 3 summer planning meetings with the YLA staff team and weekly staff communication check-ins done primarily via email. The YLA would not be able to deliver effective leadership growth opportunities to our young cadets if it wasn't for our dedicated staff!

Mentors assist in the classrooms with the delivery of quality learning experiences and guide the young people along a school year-long timeline of Service Learning. This timeline will follow the 5 Steps to Service Learning: 1) Investigation, 2) Planning and Preparation, 3) Action, 4) Reflection, and 5) Demonstration and Celebration. Each Service Learning group will consist of no more than 12 students, a mix of students going into grades 7 through 9 or 10 through 12. Each group will focus on addressing a particular community issue that they care about. Great effort will be made to match each mentor with each group based on the mentors' areas of expertise / background. Some sample group issues that were addressed last year included developing strong and confident young women, how to respond to bullying, gang prevention, and being green / environmentally friendly.

Why would you want to do this?

The opportunity to interact with these outstanding young leaders is a golden opportunity to have a lasting impact in young people's lives and to give back to your community. Chances are you will learn a great deal and have a rewarding and valuable skill-building experience yourself.

"Mentors convey inspiration for the long haul. They do not simply recruit people to serve their own agenda. Though true mentors are never perfect, they know that the young adult has a future beyond the imagination of the mentor, and they try to hold their own commitments and the promise of the young adult life in fruitful tension." -- Big Questions, Worthy Dreams, Sharon Daloz Parks, p. 128.

Essential duties:

  • Attend all Saturday YLA training sessions, YLA team meetings, and team orientations
  • Be responsive to e-mail and phone communication from YLA staff during the week day in order to prepare for YLA training sessions.
  • Serve as a positive role model, in particular regarding the YLA Code of Respect and dress code
  • Share special concerns regarding cadets' well-being with YLA staff.
  • Work in a team environment with other community leaders dedicating their time and energy to support our young cadets.

Competencies:

  • Familiarity with at-risk, low income youth.
  • Excellent communication, organization, problem-solving and planning skills
  • Not-for-profit environment experience a plus.
  • Highly motivated and self disciplined.
  • Must have positive and professional attitude.
  • Must have own transportation.
  • Fluent in Spanish (written and verbal) a plus, but not required.
  • Must pass background check in order to have volunteer contact with minors

More / LessHow to apply

Please send a message indicating your interest with your resumé to:

Joann Hartmann, YLA Program Coordinator

Youth Leadership Academy

410 Renner Drive

Elgin, IL 60123

e-mail: (for Jenny Huang, YLA Administrative Assistant)

phone: 847-214-6965

fax: 847-214-6914