Want to learn more about Roots and Horizons? Take a look at our frequently asked questions to find the answers to the questions you may have.

I may not have a lot of experience with kids and may be unclear as how to spend my one-hour per week with my mentee. Is there help in this area?
Yes, every mentor in the program has a “match supporter” who provides ideas and suggestions throughout the mentoring friendship. For some Roots and Horizons mentors, mentoring is the first experience they have had working with a young person. Our staff’s top priority is to provide specific support for each mentor based on their particular needs. This support is designed to make every mentor successful!

What if the relationship with my mentee is not working out and we are not connecting?
Every mentoring friendship develops in its own unique way. We closely monitor each match in the beginning of the friendship to make sure the match is a good fit for both participants. However, if every effort to build a strong relationship is made but the chemistry just isn't there, we have respectful ways to provide “a happy ending with one person and a new beginning with another."

Does the parent and the child also get involved with the matching process?
For a friendship to be a beneficial and enjoyable experience, we know that the parent, child and mentor each have to be excited about the mentoring relationship. Each youth in the program makes their own choice to participate and every parent commits to support their child’s involvement with Roots and Horizons. During the application process, both the parent and child can express preferences and interests for the mentor they will have.

Do you offer mentors any special training prior to matching them with a child?
Every Roots and Horizons mentor receives training prior to being matched with a mentee. We also offer mentors continuing education in the form of ongoing, roundtable discussions where we address specific topics related to mentoring. Most importantly, each mentor’s match supporter is always available to provide guidance and answer questions as needed.

How much time per week is required?                                                                       
Roots and Horizons participants meet every week for a minimum of one hour. Of course we understand that there may be weeks where you are not be able to meet, so we ask that you let your mentee or mentor know you will have to reschedule in advance.
 
Now that I’ve been matched with my mentee, what kinds of activities can we do together?
Participants in our program do a range of activities based upon their personal interests. Each match works together to come up with fun activities to do during their mentoring meetings. If the ideas begin to run dry, our program provides mentors with a monthly newsletter with information on community events, volunteer opportunities and local entertainment that is fun for youth and adults of all ages.

Check out some Success Stories for Roots and Horizons!