Mentoring

Our Philosophy

Mentoring of Girls takes on various forms. It is not always a one on one mentoring process by an assigned mentor. To assign a mentor is based on an identified need of the girl or parent. For the most part, peer to peer mentoring is utilized. All of the girls participating in GOF are not at risk girls or have poor self-esteem. Over half are girls are doing very well academically, socially and have strong leadership capabilities. This mix offers girls at risk the opportunity to hear from their peers who are doing well and discuss issues that they are faced with in a safe place as well as solidify healthy and trusting peer relationships. Another form of mentoring is our use of meeting facilitators and art instructors. Usually these are accomplished professional women and artists who inspire and motivate girls to reach their full potential. 

The centerfold piece of mentoring for GOF resides in parental mentoring. Parents who serve as mentors are not only actively participating in the program activities but are involved in every aspect of GOF programming including; planning, organizing, leading and identifying appropriate subject matter facilitators. We continue to recruit volunteer mentors who can serve GOF on a one- to one level to share their knowledge and experience and who are compassionate, caring and nurturing individuals. GOF mentors may be professionals, leaders, high school students, and other adults from the community, churches and congregations. These individuals support them through a guided relationship that fosters the resilience needed for the young person to achieve success as she navigates through adolescence and teen years..

 Mentors are required to complete initial and ongoing training on effective mentoring practices to learn essential skills and processes to help build their mentees self-esteem, and help them  achieve a successful mentoring experience and reach desired goals.  Mentors commit to at least a 10-month mentoring experience; attend Center for Creative Life and Learning, Inc events with their mentee; and initiate at least four contact interactions per month (due to unforeseen pandemic this year's mentoring program will be virtual via zoom platforms/or telephone).  Mentors must also undergo a screening process: application, interview, criminal background check. 

Mentees must have parents/guardian permission and be an active participant in Girls on Fire Programs.