Site and Center Hosted by

Western Nevada College

Volunteer Center Member

Western Nevada Partner

The National Mentoring Partnership

Community Partner

Mentors come from all walks of life, as do potential mentees. As addressed in other informational pages on this site, the Mentor screening and training process is extensive. An important part of the application process is a one-on-one interview with the Center Director. This helps the Director get to know the potential mentor and learn about his/her interests and abilities, and identify the age range the mentor feels compelled to work with.

Mentees will undergo a similar meeting with their parent or guardian. Upon receipt of a Request for Mentoring Referral form, a home visit is scheduled with the youth and their parent or guardian to talk about what mentoring is and what it is not, to identify the needs and interests of the youth, and answer any questions regarding involvement in the program.

At this point, the Director reviews any available mentor applications and schedules a "match". The Director introduces the mentor to the youth and his/her guardian. At this initial meeting, the mentor and mentee make plans for their first outing and exchange contact information.

Matches can never be guaranteed, and there may be a period of time before an appropriate adult mentor is available. Once matched, the pair gets together at least once a week. Depending on interests and goals, they plan their activities. This relationship is built slowly and steadily with consistency, dependability and trust.

Mentoring is designed to enrich the life of a youth in a big-brother/big-sister type capacity. It can assist with character building and empowerment of the youth. Mentoring is not a "fix-all" for more serious and severe behavior and juvenile criminal history issues, and is not be appropriate for everyone. Mentoring is not counseling, parenting, nor juvenile probation monitoring. To have specific questions addressed or to obtain an application, please contact the Center at: 775.445.3346.