Each potential mentor must take some time and review the Expanding Visions Foundation policies before submitting an application. Be advised that a thorough screening and background check will be conducted for all applicants. Please download, print, and fill out the application completely and submit it to us. You will be contacted after your application has been review. Feel free to contact us if you have any question.
Application and Screening Process
- Written application
- Driving record check
- Criminal history check: state, child abuse and neglect registry, sexual offender registry
- Personal interview
- Provide three personal references
- Attend two-hour mentor training
Download: Application
Mentor Role Description
The Expanding Visions program helps to empower youth in our community to make positive life choices that enable them to maximize their potential. The mentoring program uses adult volunteers to commit to supporting, guiding, and being a friend to a young person for a period of at least one year. By becoming part of the social network of adults and community members who care about the youth, the mentor can help youth develop and reach positive academic, career, and personal goals. The role of a mentor includes the following.
- Take the lead in supporting a young person through an ongoing, one-to-one relationship
- Serve as a positive role model and friend
- Build the relationship by planning and participating in activities together
- Strive for mutual respect
- Build self-esteem and motivation
- Help set goals and work toward accomplishing them
Time Commitment
- Make a one-year commitment
- Spend a minimum of eight hours per month one-to-one with a mentee
- Communicate with the mentee weekly
- Attend an initial two-hour training session and additional two-hour training sessions twice during each year of participation in the program
- Attend optional mentor/mentee group events, mentor support groups, and program recognition events
Participation Requirements
- Be at least 21 years old
- Reside in the Columbus, Ohio metro area
- Be interested in working with young people
- Be willing to adhere to all program policies and procedures
- Be willing to complete the application and screening process
- Be dependable and consistent in meeting the time commitments
- Attend mentor training sessions as prescribed
- Be willing to communicate regularly with program staff, submit activity information, and take constructive feedback regarding mentoring activities
- Have access to an automobile, auto insurance, and a good driving record
- Have a clean criminal history
- Not use illicit drugs
- Not use alcohol or controlled substances in an inappropriate manner
- Not be currently in treatment for substance abuse and have a non-addictive period of at least five years
- Not be currently in treatment for a mental disorder or hospitalized for such in the past three years
Desirable Qualities
- Willing listener
- Encouraging and supportive
- Patient and flexible
- Tolerant and respectful of individual differences
Benefits
- Personal fulfillment through contribution to community and individual
- Satisfaction in helping someone mature, progress, and achieve goals
- Training sessions and group activities
- Participation in a mentor support group
- Mileage and expenses are tax deductible
- Personal ongoing support, supervision to help the match succeed
- Mentee/mentor group activities, complimentary tickets to community events, participant recognition events
For more information, contact us at info@expandingvisions.net.