Enroll A Young Person

TEAMING WITH

GUARDIANS

Parenting is the toughest job in the world. Whether life is crazy, smooth-sailing, or straight-up impossible, it takes more than family to support young people. Our world is getting ever more difficult to navigate safely.

 

At FORGE, we partner with you to help your child discover and pursue their true potential. Our goal is to provide mentors for young people, ages 7 through 18, coming alongside you to give your child an additional positive adult role-model.

BECOMING A

MENTEE

Every one of us needs a mentor, a friend who is willing to go through life with us and be there to hang out, encourage, and be a role model. Mentors are there to support us and pick us up when we fall. 

 

FORGE would love to provide a mentor for every youth under 18 in the areas we serve, and you are next! Having a mentor means sharing your hobbies and interests, experiencing new activities, and building a connection you won’t ever forget.

FAQ’s For Kids

Is it fun?

Almost every single young person in our program, no matter their age, says that they have a lot of fun with their mentor! They tell us that their mentor is their best friend and they've had a lot of cool times together. Some share most about the great times just talking with their mentor and really feeling heard.

What will we do?

What do you want to do? We make sure your mentor will have some common interests and that he/she is willing to even try new things. Is there something you love doing or would love to try out? Well, together you two will decide on the activities and adventures.

Do I get to choose my mentor?

We learn everything we can about you during your interview, so that we can find a person that we think you'll love to hang out with. When we choose the adult we think fits you great, we'll call you to see what you think. If it sounds good, we'll match you. If not, we'll find another person that you're more confident in!

Will my mentor tell me what to do, like a teacher or parent?

Mentors are adult friends. Their job isn't to be a teacher or parent. They are there to hang out with, share life, and enjoy learning together. Because they are older, they've probably experienced a lot more things. Make sure to ask for their opinions once in a while. Watch how they do things and then try to figure out why!

What if I don’t really like my mentor?

We have a ton of confidence that together we’ll pick a perfect mentor for you, but things aren’t always perfect, right? You’ll have a Match Support Coach who will be checking in with you regularly and if things just aren’t going good, we can always get you another mentor.

FAQ’s For Guardians

Does my child need a mentor?

All of us benefit from having a mentor. They teach us things we couldn’t learn on our own. They also help us avoid poor choices that bring negative consequences. Our mentors focus on supporting your child and encouraging them to become a strong and resilient young adult.

Will the mentor replace me as the parent?

No. Mentors are safe adult friends for young people. They are not a parent and do not assume any roles of the parent. They hope to support you by modeling proper communication skills and attitudes to your child in order to help your parent-child relationship.

How often does my child meet with their mentor?

Mentor matches meet weekly for at least one hour, for a minimum of one year.

What do the mentor matches do together?

The mentor and mentee choose their activities and gain approval from the parent/guardian. Activities can be things like: sporting events, hobbies and crafts, seeing animals at the humane society, visiting museums, service projects, hanging out, and much more.

How do I know the mentor is safe?

Mentors go through a comprehensive application and screening process. They attend information classes, complete a written application, secure 4 references, participate in an interview, complete an exhaustive national background check, sign a behavior and guidelines contract, and if all results are positive, they are approved by a team of screeners. In addition, once they are matched with your child, you will receive regular contact from the Match Support Coach to seek your perspective on the health of the mentor match and to address any concerns you may have. Mentors are expected to fully adhere to Mentoring Standards at all times – with no exceptions.

What does Forge look for in a mentor?

We seek safe, caring, committed and patient adults who demonstrate a: Genuine interest in spending time with a young person; Positive and hopeful attitude; Humble heart that’s ready to encourage and support; Respect and empathy towards others; Desire to find helpful solutions and growing opportunities; Flexibility to sometimes adapt “on the fly”. We have found that partnering with the local faith community has been incredibly helpful in not only finding mentors, but also in assuring that they follow through with their commitment.