Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
What Is Columbia Connects?
Columbia Connects is Dayton Coalition for Youth and Families' new mentoring program.
Become a Mentor
Columbia Connects mentoring program is a community-based, one-on-one mentoring program. Mentors and mentees are asked to commit to 4 hrs. per month, and to meet weekly for an entire year. The Columbia County Connects mentoring program includes monthly group activities for Mentor/Mentee to attend together.
Mentoring involves a supportive, caring relationship between an adult and a young person. Quality mentoring relationships help young people access opportunities and offer support and guidance as they navigate life challenges.
The research is clear: Relationships play a powerful role in youth development and success. Young people need stable, caring relationships with adults in order to thrive, and mentors can provide this crucial support.
In light of the alarming national youth mental health crisis, mentoring is poised to be a key part of the solution to this public health problem. Studies have found that mentoring during childhood can strengthen mental health.
Join Columbia Connects and be part of the solution!
What Makes a Good Mentor
Desire to help
Active listening skills
Desire to help
Respect
Active listening skills
Desire to help
Active listening skills
Active listening skills
Active listening skills
Empathy
Cultural Humility
Active listening skills
Cultural Humility
Cultural Humility
Cultural Humility
The Three C's of Mentorship Are:
Clarity
Communication
Communication
Mentors and mentees require a definitive understanding of the mentorship goals, which involves active listening and building trust or rapport with each other.
Communication
Communication
Communication
This is how mentors can market their mentorship program and how both parties speak with each other.
Commitment
Communication
Commitment
Both parties, the mentor and mentee, require dedication for the mentorship to be effective.
Community Member Volunteers
We would love for you to share your expertise, crafts, and interests with our mentors & mentees—crafts, pottery, gardening, etc.
What it means to be a Mentee
Being a mentee means actively seeking guidance, support, and learning from a more experienced individual known as a mentor. A mentee is someone who is under the tutelage or training of a mentor, with the goal of achieving personal or professional growth.
Ask questions
Mentorships are only effective if the mentee is receptive to learning and comes prepared with questions. Whether it’s an open-ended, follow-up, or even closed-ended question, just ask. Also, your questions don’t have to be career-focused—your mentor is there to provide you advice on personal aspects to life.
Sustain the feedback loop
If you want to improve your skills overall, being open to feedback is a must. That means consistently asking your mentor for feedback because they are the ones who can uncover your blind spots and offer ways to improve your professional skills. But don’t forget, this is a two-way street. Provide your mentor feedback, too, and be candid on ways they can improve in this mentorship.
Absorb like a sponge
Take this mentorship as an opportunity to learn as much as you can. Jot down notes, ask your mentor about their career successes and failures, share your roadblocks, and seek solutions to better yourself and the relationship. When you show that eagerness to learn, this will lead your mentor to invest more time and energy into your growth.
Tend to the trust
Just like any relationship in life, there’s a level of trust that needs to be built up. It takes time for trust to be cultivated between you and your mentor. In order to be a good mentee, trust starts with open communication, sticking to your word, displaying excitement, being punctual, and showing mutual respect. Remember, successful mentorships don’t grow overnight.
Respect your mentor’s time
Your mentor is a volunteer. They aren’t being paid for this position and they have their own busy schedule. It’s important to be conscientious of their time at all times. If you have weekly meetings, be there on time. Come to each meeting with a prepared agenda and questions ready to go. Also, if you need to cancel a meeting, provide plenty of notice before rescheduling.
Show gratitude and appreciation
We touched on this in the previous points, but make sure you give thanks where needed. Whether it’s before or after a meeting, in a text, or in an email, saying “thank you” can go a long way. Simply showing your gratitude (and we mean genuinely) makes your mentor feel appreciated.
Be authentically yourself
Last but not least, be yourself. Your mentor has taken time to get to know YOU and invest their time into YOU. Part of being a good mentee is showing all sides of yourself. A mentorship isn’t meant for judgement.
Events
No upcoming events.
Contact Us
Coalition Coordinator
Hours
Open today | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
"The mission of the Coalition is to promote and support a healthy and safe environment, free from alcohol,
tobacco, and other drug misuse, violence, and related social issues affecting our youth and families."
Kristen Thorstenson
Kristen_Thorstenson@co.columbia.wa.us
509-382-2181
Copyright © 2024 Coalition for Youth and Families - All Rights Reserved.
Cookie Policy
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.