February 2023 Mentoring News
Published
Training for Programs
Introduction to TMP Services & Elements of Effective Practice
Wednesday, March 15, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
This informational session is intended to introduce mentoring programs to the technical assistance, training, and network services provided by The Mentoring Partnership. The foundation of our services is based on the six Elements of Effective Practice, a collection of research-informed practices for youth mentoring programs, and you will learn those elements as part of this session. Attending this training is also the first step in the Quality Coaching process. Sessions are currently being done virtually. You must be registered to attend. Registration will close 2 days before the scheduled session. Click here to register!
Training for Mentors and Mentees
Virtual Mentoring 101 Training
Saturday, March 11, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, March 22, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
This interactive training program provides participants with an introduction to mentoring and what to expect as a mentor. Topics like the "mentoring lifecycle," communication skills, establishing boundaries, and appreciating diversity will make it easier for mentors to navigate relationships with their mentees. This training is appropriate to introduce new volunteers to the field of mentoring and to refresh current mentors on best practices. Registration will close once the training is full or 2 days before the scheduled session. Click here to register!
Virtual Cultural Humility Training
Thursday, March 9, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
This workshop is designed to empower mentors with knowledge, skills and an awareness of their role as members of a diverse, mentoring relationship. Every mentor should recognize and embrace the work that they do involving young people and adults who come from diverse social identities that include race, religion, national origin, ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and ability. In a community that is always evolving in language, values, culture, beliefs, personalities and life experiences, we want our mentors to be open to this diversity as well as seek opportunities to engage in intentional, focused ways. It is recommended participants attend a Mentoring 101 session before attending Cultural Humility. Registration will close once the training is full or 2 days before the scheduled session. Click here to register!
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
Thursday, April 6, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in youth. This 8-hour training gives adults who work with youth the skills they need to reach out and provide initial support to children and adolescents (ages 6-18) who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care. First Aiders will complete a 2-hour, self-paced online class, and then participate in a 6-hour, Instructor-led videoconference. This training is suitable for any adult working with youth. Space is limited. Registration will close once the training is full or on Monday, March 27, 2023! Click here to register!
Virtual Combatting White Saviorism
Friday, April 21, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Mentoring relationships and programs have the power to reproduce racial inequity. Mentors and mentoring programs have a moral obligation to do no harm to the youth and families engaged in their mentoring relationships and programs. In this workshop, participants explore what white saviorism looks like as well as the harmful impact it has on youth. Participants will develop the ability to recognize white saviorism in mentoring relationships and programs and explore concrete strategies to combat its harmful effects. Space is limited. Registration will close once the training is full or 2 days before the scheduled session. Click here to register!
Program Development
Get no-cost support for your program's match closure practices!
The end of the school year will be here before we know it and that means that some mentoring matches may transition or come to a close either just for the summer or permanently. According to mentoring best practices, closure is a key part of the mentoring relationship and is critical to ensuring positive outcomes for young people. It's never too early to start thinking about and planning closure and transition in your mentoring program, and TMP offers no-cost technical assistance to support closure procedures! Contact Ashley Wineland to learn more and apply!
March 2nd LENS Meeting: National Mentoring Summit Recap (Virtual)
Thursday, March 2nd, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Join The Mentoring Partnership and local programs who attended the 2023 National Mentoring Summit! We'll share key Summit takeaways, favorite sessions, most helpful topics, ideas for future sessions and any action plans for next steps. This is a great way to engage with other programs in our region as well as outline any support that might be needed (training, technical assistance, professional development, etc.) in the new year. Click here to register.
March LENS Meeting: Storytelling and Messaging with Kidsburgh's Melissa Rayworth (Virtual)
Wednesday, March 29, 9:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
"M" is for messaging! Join us for our March 29th LENS meeting and learn all about telling your story with Kidsburgh editor-in-chief Melissa Rayworth. We'll cover everything from owning your organization's narrative and sharing it concisely to embracing your role as an expert source and getting your message out there! Click here to register for this virtual session and come prepared with some of your organization's key talking points -- there will be plenty of time for Q&A and idea sharing with the group! Melissa Rayworth is a writer for global and regional news outlets, editor-in-chief at Kidsburgh.org, and a communications consultant working with foundations and nonprofits to tease out and tell their stories across media. She also works with private clients to discover and tell their stories in ways that propel their personal and professional lives forward.
April LENS: Compassion Fatigue led by Nicole Herman, Partners for Youth with Disabilities (Virtual)
Tuesday, April 18th 10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
This virtual session will examine the concept of compassion fatigue as it relates to individuals who work in youth mentoring spaces. We will discuss what compassion fatigue is, how it can manifest, and the effects on the individual, colleagues, and the work environment. We will review important concepts including compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, vicarious trauma, and burnout. Then, we will discuss ways to support individuals who are experiencing compassion fatigue and coping strategies. We will also briefly discuss how to support youth experiencing secondary trauma and compassion fatigue as well as coping strategies for youth. Click here to register.
Community News
We're Hiring: Part-Time Program Assistant
TMP is currently seeking a Program Assistant to join our team. This part-time, flexible position will work with the Program Operations and Special Projects Coordinator to provide necessary support in delivery of high-quality customer service, training, and program development for mentoring programs, their staff and volunteers. Click here to learn more and apply!
Winter 2023 Encouragement Cards for Kids
As caring adults, we can support the young people in our lives and encourage them to do the same for their peers! TMP and Fred Rogers Productions have teamed up to create encouragement cards that make it easy to check in with someone to offer up a smile or word of thanks. These cards can be downloaded and printed to drop in the mail or tuck into lunch boxes and backpacks. Click here to download the encouragement cards for free!
Big Brothers Big Sisters Virtual Informational Sessions
February 1, 2023 - April 19, 2023
Since the beginning of February, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Greater Pittsburgh has been hosting various virtual informational sessions. If you didn't get the chance to attend, you still have the opportunity to participate in March and April. Each session is a 30-minute presentation. These are the upcoming dates:
March 1 at 12 p.m.
March 15 at 6 p.m.
April 5 at 12 p.m.
April 19 at 6 p.m.
Visit bbbspgh.org/infosession to learn more and register!
Alex Boye's Bend Not Break Tour
Wednesday, April 12, 10:00 a.m.
Join mental health advocates at the Peterson Events Center for a FREE Mega Concert focused on the awareness of mental health, well-being, and suicide prevention. In addition to the live music, there will also be educational talks, giveaways, and mental health vendors. This event is made free for students and youth, their families, and support resources through community donations and sponsorships. The recommended ages for this concert is ages 14-25. Request your tickets today and learn more about Alex Boye!
