Youth Mentor Program Overview

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM?

Most simply stated, the purpose of this program is to provide recently arrived refugee youth (ages 9-17) with additional support as they begin to navigate life here in the Utah. While the process of adjusting to life in a new country is far from easy, you will see in these youth a deep resiliency and an incredible desire to learn. Our hope is that with your additional support and guidance, the youth in this program will be able to:

• Engage in their own communities, schools, peer groups, families and other organizations in ways that are both positive and constructive.
• Recognize, utilize, and enhance their own strengths.
• Promote positive outcomes through the opportunities and positive relationships they’ll have in this program.

WHAT IS MY ROLE IN ALL OF THIS?

As we strive to empower the youth in our community, we simply ask that you be there to support, guide, and be a friend to the youth you’ll get to know throughout this program. Additional responsibilities will include:

• Developing activity ideas and, on occasion, including your mentee in that process.
• Attending quarterly mentor trainings
• Participating in quarterly mentor program activities with your mentee
• Communicating with program staff on a regular basis – including monthly check-ins.
• Agreeing to all requirements mentioned in this document, and those further discussed in training.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO QUALIFY AS A YOUTH MENTOR?

• Be 21+ years old
• Complete eight hours of initial training
• Commit to a yearlong match
• Access to an automobile or reliable transportation
• Current driver’s license, auto insurance, and a good driving record – if you plan on driving
• Clean criminal history

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL MEETING WITH MY MENTEE LOOK LIKE?

The great part about this program is that each week will likely be different. While we want you put effort into reaching specific goals with your mentee, there is also a big focus on simply developing your relationship, and both of those can be incorporated in huge variety of activities. Some weeks may be spent at different free events we have access to – like going to a Jazz game, Bee’s game, the Utah Symphony, or Hale Center Theatre. Other weeks may be spent playing soccer, getting together with other mentor program pairs, touring police stations, practicing English, or working on homework. Really, it’s completely up to the two of you to decide. Regarding COVID 19, CCS is regularly following up-to-date CDC recommendations and local guidelines. Please make sure you and your mentee are staying safe and comfortable.

WHERE DOES THIS ALL TAKE PLACE?

Currently, almost all our clients live in Salt Lake County. As a Youth Mentor, most activities will begin and end at your mentee’s home. Where you’ll end up in between is completely up to you and your mentee. Together the two of you will come up with activities that may have you exploring the greater Salt Lake area, or maybe staying close to their own neighborhood. All mentor interviews will take place at Catholic Community Services of Utah – located at 224 North 2200 West, SLC, UT 84116. Trainings may be held at this location as well, or virtually over Zoom.

WHAT KIND OF TIME COMMITMENT IS THIS?

Once you’ve been matched with your mentee, it is required that you meet with them for a minimum of four hours per month for one full year. This starts once you have been matched with your mentee, not from the time you start and complete trainings. The good thing is that your schedule is determined by you and your mentee. It is up to you two to decide on a specific time and frequency that works for both of you during the month. If you need to change times one week, you can do that too.

This schedule does exist over the course of the year, so we do understand that you may need to miss a week here or there. Should that be the case, we simply ask that you inform both program staff and your mentee ahead of time, and that you make up those hours at some point throughout your year together.

Due to the nature of this program, if you know that you’ll be unable to meet these time requirements for more than three consecutive weeks (due to vacation or other circumstances), we kindly ask that you look into other volunteer opportunities here at CCS that may better work with your schedule.  

ARE THERE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS THAT I NEED TO DRIVE?

Yes. Aside from some additional paperwork, your amount of auto insurance coverage in the bodily injury category must be $50,000/$100,000 or greater. A Utah driver’s license is also required.

WHAT UPFRONT COSTS SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT?

You will only need to cover the cost of two requirements. The first upfront costs that you’ll need to worry about is for your fingerprint card. These are required for us to run a background check and typically run from $5-15 per card.  In addition to this, you will need to pay for the background check as well. These cost $42.25 and will need to be paid in the form of a personal check or cashier’s check.  However, this fee will be waived if you are currently a student.

If you have had your fingerprints done recently, you are more than welcome to bring those in, but we need two original cards. If you have had a background check done recently though the Department of Human Services, we can request a transfer for you, which is free of charge. Please make sure to let us know if this is something that applies to you!

WHO IS MY SUPERVISOR?  Natalie Peterson, Youth Mentor Coordinator, will be your supervisor. If you have any questions about what’s been explained, don’t hesitate to contact her by phone at her office line (801) 428-1331 or on her cell phone (385) 409-1045. You are always welcome to communicate via email as well at npeterson@ccsutah.org.