Mentorship
UNYA's Mentorship Program matches Indigenous youth ages 12 to 15 with trained volunteer mentors. If you are looking for a mentor for Indigenous youth ages 16 to 19, please navigate to the Kinnections Mentoring Program on our main Programs page, under "Housing & Transition."
Participating in the Mentorship Program is an opportunity to form a trusting relationship with a non-judgmental, encouraging adult who you can talk to, try new activities with, and go to for advice.
Our mentors help you realize your strengths, work towards your goals, and build your confidence and independence. Your mentor will be a supportive, caring, and stable role model, advocate, and friend, who can help you with making positive choices and changes.
To participate in this program, you must be willing to commit to meeting your mentor for two to four hours per week for at least one year.
Program Activities
- Self-directed, community-based activities that are fun, positive, and healthy. Some examples are: arts and culture outings, sports and rec, social and educational activities
- Group activities hosted by staff for program participants, including activities such as canoeing, snowshoeing, cooking classes
- Tickets to events in the community are occasionally donated to the program, and passed on to mentors and their youth. For example: tickets to hockey games, movies, the aquarium, Science World, art galleries, PNE
- Ongoing support, assistance, advocacy, and guidance from UNYA's Mentorship Program staff
How To Get Involved
The Mentorship Program is great for Indigenous youth ages 12 to 15 who want to connect with a role model for advice and support, to work towards their goals, or towards positive change in their lives. Please see the Kinnections Program page for mentorship opportunities for Indigenous youth ages 16 to 19.
Program staff work with both mentors and youth to help them build and maintain a positive relationship throughout the mentorship.
Volunteer mentors are thoroughly screened and trained before being matched with youth, and throughout the mentorship. Trainings cover topics such as life skills coaching, conflict resolution, mental health, healthy boundaries, prevention of sexual exploitation, cultural awareness, substance abuse/misuse, and other important areas that may impact Indigenous youth.
Indigenous youth ages 12 to 15 can self-refer or be referred by someone else, as long as youth are aware of and receptive to the referral. Youth and mentors are matched based on need, interests, and overall fit. Priority is given to MCFD referrals (through the MCFD Youth Program Referral Form).
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please fill out the Mentorship Volunteer Application. Please send completed applications to UNYA’s Mentorship Program Manager at [email protected].
Volunteer mentor applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
