Mentoring... The Core of ChalleNGe

All young people have the potential to be successful and responsible members of society but without the advice, friendship, reinforcement and support of a mentor to flourish, they could stumble. That is why mentors are so vital to the success of the youths in the Wyoming Youth ChalleNGe Program. With the assistance of a mentor, these young people can succeed no matter what their previous or future circumstances may be. 

To become a Mentor you must:

• Be same gender as cadet
• Must attend one training day at WYCP
• Not living in same household as cadet
• Reside within a reasonable distance of cadet
• Be 21 years of age or older
• Be a United States citizen or Legal Resident

A Mentor must be willing to:

• Agree to a State and Federal background check
• Attend one Mentor Day at Wyoming Youth Challenge Program (see below for more details)
• Make weekly contacts by phone, mail, or face-to-face with your Cadet after the complete the Residential portion of the program (see below for more details)
• Mail or e-mail a monthly report to Wyoming Youth Challenge Program on the progress of your Cadet

The Mentor Acceptance Process:
Once the Recruitment Placement and Mentor Department receives your application, there are a few steps to acceptance.  They are as follows:

1. Receive completed application packet.
2. Conduct interview of Prospective Mentor once the cadet is on Program grounds.  (This is where you choose the date you would like to attend our training day.)
3. Send off reference checks.
4. Acceptance/Denial letters are sent out.
5. Calls are made to remind you of the day you chose to attend training day.
6. Two weeks prior to the day of training information on attendance will be mailed out.

Mentor Training Day:
Mentor Training Day will be offered on three occasions during the Residential Phase in order to accommodate all the Mentors.  You will only be required to attend one of these events. 
During the training you will get the opportunity to network with other Mentors and meet the Staff who will be supporting you and your Cadet. 

Mentor/Cadet Relationships:
As a Wyoming Youth Challenge Mentor, you will be expected to maintain contact once you are matched, during the Residential Phase and all 12 months of the Post-Residential Phase.
During the Residential or Challenge Phase, communication is primarily letters and telephone calls.  You are expected to write your Cadet at least one letter per week and he/she is expected to do the same.  Once Mentors are matched, you are encouraged to visit your Cadet at WYCP but it is NOT required.  The only trip you are required to make to WYCP is Mentor Training.
Once the Cadet graduates and enters the Post-Residential Phase, the Mentor maintains contact with their Cadet at least 4 times per month.  At least 2 of these contacts must be face-to-face.  At the end of each month a report must be submitted to the Mentoring Staff indicating what took place at those meetings as well as any problems, changes or progress made by the Cadet.  Mentors must also notify the Mentoring Staff if there are any changes in address, phone number, or significant problems with their Cadet.

 Download a Mentor Application Packet