What is mentorship?
Mentorship is a supportive relationship between an experienced or more knowledgeable individual who offers guidance and support to a less experienced or less knowledgeable individual.
Benefits of mentorship
As a Mentee:
- Gain practical advice, encouragement, and support
- Learn from the experiences of others
- Increase your social confidence
- Become more empowered to make decisions
- Develop your communication and personal skills
- Develop strategies for dealing with personal and social issues
- Identify goals and establish a sense of direction
- Gain valuable insight into the next stage of reentry
As a Mentor:
- Improve communication and personal skills
- Develop leadership and management qualities
- Reinforce knowledge
- Increase your confidence and motivation
- Engage in a volunteering opportunity
- Gain recognition for your skills and experience
- Benefit from a sense of fulfillment and personal growth
Why is mentorship part of the program?
Mentoring, at its core, guarantees individuals that there is someone who cares about them, assures them they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges, and makes them feel like they matter. Ultimately, mentoring connects an individual to personal growth and development, as well as social and economic opportunity.
Expectations
The mentorship experience starts with virtual meetings while the mentee is incarcerated. Once the mentee releases to the community, the Circle of Support (2-4 volunteers) will decide if they want to continue meeting virtually or switch to in-person meetings. This process will be supported by Seventh District - Iowa Department of Corrections staff to help navigate the transition. Mentors may decide to continue the mentorship relationship with more than one mentee but no more two mentees at one time.
As a mentor, you will be assisting participants in creating a “positive philosophy towards life.” You must help your mentees broaden their horizons. Frequently, what your mentees know of life comes only from past experiences in the communities where they grew up. The influences of peer groups make your commitment and caring essential.
- Be a stable and supportive friend
- Show interest in the mentee’s progress
- Be a role model
- Invite joint decision-making
- Encourage new, enjoyable activities, and opportunities
- Provide constructive feedback
- Provide positive reinforcement for good behavior
- Believe in yourself
What is the Circle of Support?
- “Circles” are small groups that provide support to Mentees. Mentees will be surrounded by a group of individuals that have volunteered to support them and hold each accountable to their goals.
- Utilizes various volunteers - 2-4 per circle with 1 mentee
- No set curriculum followed.
How does Circle Mentoring Work?
- Each circle will identify a coordinator who will be the circle “lead”.
- Each circle will identify potential conversation topics; what is comfortable to talk about, and what is not comfortable to talk about.
- After discussion ends, the circle will plan their next session. Sessions should occur once a week for the majority of the mentorship program.
- Due to no followed curriculum, the sessions end when the circle/mentee determine they have reached their expectation of the mentorship program.
- Once the decision to end mentorship has been made, the circle coordinator will inform the Seventh District - Iowa Department of Corrections.
Mentor Expectations
Every mentor is expected to abide by the following policies:
- Mentors are expected to dedicate 4 hours a month, or 1 hour a week to support the mentee.
- Mentors are expected to participate in mentorship training (boundaries, confidentiality, implicit bias, etc.).
- Seventh District - Iowa Department of Corrections staff will follow up with mentors at least once a month (via phone, email, or in-person) about their interactions with the mentee.
- Keep the communication with his/her mentee confidential. Confidentiality is crucial to building trust with the mentee.
- Exhibit behavior that is respectful and not make any comments that can be construed as racist, sexist, or bigoted.
- Do not condone, promote, or engage in any illegal activities with the mentees.
- Do not engage in gift-giving or loaning money to the mentees. Although the urge may be great to help through monetary means, the mentor should keep the relationship on a professional level. If you feel that the mentee is in dire need of something, please speak with the assigned Seventh District - Iowa Department of Corrections staff for assistance.
- Do not engage in intimate relations with the mentees. Although the relationships may become close, the mentor should remember that their role is of a mentor.
Mentor Code of Ethics
The Mentor Code of Ethics states that you will:
- Uphold commitments to the organization and its participants.
- Believe that every person, regardless of previous circumstances, has the potential to achieve excellence.
- Believe that every person is a unique and special individual possessing qualities that contribute to the community.
- Respect the feelings and rights of the person and treat all matters in a confidential manner - even the most obvious.
- Remain aware that your goal must be to encourage and support the person in a responsible manner so that he/she will be independent of his/her need for service.
- Recognize the value of caring, but refrain from an intense relationship that will interfere with your effectiveness.
- Recognize that communication is both valuable and an integral part of your obligations as a mentor.
- Know your limitations and ask for help.
- Be cautious about personal relationships outside the helping relationship.
- Maintain high standards for yourself and encourage the participants whom you assist in striving for success.
