Mentoring.....The Core of ChalleNGe
Matching the cadets with a caring, responsible mentor is the most critical component of the Grizzly Youth Academy. This mentoring relationship begins in the Residential Phase and continues for a full year during the Post-Residential Phase of the program. Not only is mentoring important for the development of these young men and women, but the academy is required by the National Guard Bureau and Congress to report on the progress of cadets during the Post-Residential Phase. This progress is documented by mentors in monthly reports submitted to the academy, and then forwarded to Washington, D.C.
Mentoring has always existed and has always been effective. There is really nothing mystical or magical about being a mentor or why mentoring works so well. Every successful person has had mentors in his or her life. It could be a teacher, a coach, a neighbor, a relative, a co-worker, an AA or NA sponsor, or a minister. What all of us have become is due, in part, to the mentors in our lives.
The Mentor should be: 25 years or older; employed ( yes, being a housewife is being employed!!!), in school, or retired; a good role model; the same sex as the cadet; should be living within 50 miles of the cadet (ideally).
The Mentor may not be: living in the same house as the cadet; may not be the parent of the cadet's boyfriend or girlfriend; or NOT the boyfriend or girlfriend, or ex-spouse of the cadet's parent; should not be a very close relative where the family dynamics might get in the way of the relationship. (Call the mentor coordinator, SFC Danny Castillo, at 805-782-6889, with any questions.)
All mentors must submit proof of auto insurance, and a copy of current driver's license. A completed application should be turned in with the student's application. Once the student is accepted, we will be sending the mentor a Live Scan Fingerprint submission form to complete our background check. (See fingerprinting locations to the left.....We can also do fingerprints at Grizzly Youth Academy)
While the cadets are in the Residential Phase of the program, they will develop a MAP or life plan. This is a guide to achieve their goals in the first year after leaving the Residential Phase. Mentors are encouraged to help the cadets with this plan and will receive a copy. When the cadets complete the Residential Phase and return home, mentors will play a critical role encouraging, guiding, and assisting the cadet to enroll in school (either returning to high school or entering community college), or get a job, and most importantly, stay on the right path towards success.
Several other mentor events will occur during the Residential Phase. Mentors must attend a one day training session at Camp San Luis Obispo, Sacramento, or Los Alamitos. The San Luis Obispo location is preferred because you will be able to visit with your cadet, however, the other locations are to ensure that distance will not keep you from being a mentor.
Once this training is complete, they will be officially matched with their cadet in an appropriate ceremony. Cadets will also be training during the Residential Phase. For six weeks prior to the mentor training session and matching ceremony each cadet participates in Mentee training. After matching, cadets and mentors will be able to start building their relationship with phone calls, letters, and mentor visits to the academy on specified days. Visits are not mandatory, but strongly encouraged.
After graduating the program and returning home, cadets are REQUIRED to meet with their mentor 4 times per month. This is preferably face to face, but it can include phone calls, letters, etc. Mentors are REQUIRED to complete a monthly report and submit it to the academy for the same 12 month period. We have an online mentor report for your convenience. The report can also be mailed, faxed, phoned, or e-mailed to the academy. These reports will be reviewed then compiled by a case manager assigned to the cadet. Case managers may call the mentors from time to time, to verify information or just to check on the relationship between mentor and cadet. These mentor reports are extremely important. Grizzly Youth Academy is required to compile the results every month and report to the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C. Our continued funding is dependent on receipt of these monthly mentor reports.
Most of all, the mentor and cadet should have a little fun and develop a relationship that is rewarding for both. It is our hope that the relationship will last a lifetime.