Mentoring Frequently Asked Questions
We realize that mentoring an at-risk youth can be a challenging, yet rewarding experience. Becoming a mentor to the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy normally comes with some questions and concerns.
The MYCA and our youth thank you for your gracious volunteerism in serving as a mentor - helping to provide direction for our at-risk youth. We hope that this page is helpful in answering a lot of your questions.
Q: How are mentors selected?
A: Each applicant must have 2 mentor applicants. MYCA staff complete a police record check and a telephone interview with both mentor applicants. Cadets are asked who they prefer as their mentor and whenever possible, parents/guardians are asked who they prefer to be the mentor. Post-Residential staff members then make the selection of the primary mentor.
Q: Why are two mentors required for each cadet?
A: Some percentage of mentor applicants will not be eligible based on the screening process, and some will not be able to complete the 12 month post-residential phase due to personal reasons (ie: relocation, family, or other conflicts, etc). We want to do all we possibly can to ensure that each cadet has a screened, trained, and supportive adult to help them, especially during the post-residential phase.
Mentoring has been proven effective in helping people to mature and develop. The Youth ChalleNGe Program has formally incorporated mentoring as a program requirement in order to support our residential phase graduates as they move into adulthood and resposible, productive citizenship.
Q: How often must mentors travel to Battle Creek (MYCA)?
A: Primary mentors (the selected mentors) are required to attend one day of training in Battle Creek (MYCA) and there is one date later in the cycle for mentors to attend visitation with their cadet.
Q: When are the training dates and how many must a mentor attend?
A: Training must be completed no later than week 13 of each cycle. Each selected mentor must attend one training session. The MYCA offers 4 (four) sessions to choose from. Sessions for the current cycle can be viewed by clicking on "Mentor Training Dates" to the left of the screen.
Q: I have mentored before, so why must I attend your training?
A: Our training is inteded to help you understand how MYCA operates and what to expect from our cadets. We cover program requirements, program expectations, and what mentors can expect from our staff. Training sessions also provide an opportunity for mentors to meet the staff members who will be their direct contact and main support during the 12 month post-residential period, adn to network with other mentors in your local area. Training is required in order to be fair to the cadets, the mentors, and the program.
Q: I am a teacher/psychologist/trained professional. Why must I attend your training?
A: Our training is inteded to help you understand how MYCA operates and what to expect from our cadets. We cover program requirements, program expectations, and what mentors can expect from our staff. Training sessions also provide an opportunity for mentors to meet the staff members who will be their direct contact and main support during the 12 month post-residential period, adn to network with other mentors in your local area. Training is required in order to be fair to the cadets, the mentors, and the program.
Q: Why can't family members be mentors?
A: Our experience indicates that mentoring is a unique relationship. Family members may not be able to maintain objective in listening to the cadet and helping them make decisions. Also, experience indicates that if a problem develops within a cadet's family unit, it can affect the mentoring relationship if the mentor is a family member.
Q: Why must I provide personal information such as a drivers license number, social security number and date of birth? I do not feel comfortable giving that information out to people.
A: That information is required to complete the police record check. If we cannot complete this check, a mentor applicant is not eligible to mentor a cadet. MYCA is obligated to protect our cadets and a police record check is one step we take in doing so.
Q: How is my information protected?
A: We do not release or make your information available to anyone outside of our staff without your written permission. We do not release that information to your cadet or their family members without your permission. We are very sensitive to protecting your privacy.
Q: What are the requirements/activities as a mentor?
A: Attend one training session, attend the visitation, write your cadet at least monthly during the 22-week residential phase, have weekly contact- including at least two face-to-face interactions each month during the 12 month post-residential phase, send MYCA a progress report (Monthly Mentor Report) each month during the post-residential phase.
Q: How much time must I spend in mentoring my cadet?
A: There is no pre-set amount of time required. Past mentors and cadets have had a successful relationship with as little as 15-20 minutes/week. Others have spent as much as several hours/week. The best answer we feel is whatever amount of time the cadet and mentor are willing and able to commit in order for the cadet to succeed.