For more information, or to get involved with the One on One or Sponsor-A-Scholar programs, please contact Marie Olmsted by phone at (414) 274-0828 or by e-mail at mentoring@ymcamke.org.

Click on the below PDF documents to download your application today.

Sponsor-A-Scholar Application form

One on One Mentor Application form

Downtown Branch
161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 4000
Milwaukee, WI  53203-2601

Phone: (414) 274-0828
Fax: (414) 274-6033
Email: mentoring@ymcamke.org

Frequently Asked Questions About Mentoring

Q:  What are the characteristics of a successful mentor?

A:  A successful mentor is:  caring, a good listener, stable, reliable, committed, non-judgmental, discreet, patient and tolerant. A good mentor also likes preteens/teens, provides leadership, and has a good sense of humor.

Q:  What does a mentor do? 

A:  YMENTORING offers two unique opportunities for mentoring.

• As a mentor in the Sponsor-A-Scholar Program, a precollege and mentoring program for high school students, you would:

• Meet with your scholar once a month at mutually convenient times for activities that you choose together.

• Provide a window into the college and post-college world for your scholar.

• Gain insight into the challenges your scholar faces.

• Act as a guide and a role model for your scholar.

• As a mentor in the One on One Academic Mentoring Program for middle school students, you would:

• Choose from one of numerous structured, supervised sites throughout Milwaukee.

• Meet with your student at the site on a weekly basis for 1.5 hours after school.

• Work with your student on improving academic skills (literacy or math) through a structured, individualized curriculum.  Four sites are dedicated to a pre-engineering curriculum.

Q:  What is the time commitment for volunteer mentoring? 

A:  Sponsor-A-Scholar Program

• 1 - 4 year commitment, depending upon the age of student you would like to mentor. If a volunteer begins mentoring a freshman, we encourage him or her to follow that student throughout their high school career.

• 4 hours a month (This can include email, phone calls and meeting in person once or twice a month.)

A:  One on One Academic Mentoring

• 10 month commitment (approximately September to June)

• 90 minutes a week from 3 - 4:30 or 4 - 5:30 on the same day each week. Mentoring does not take place over holidays or on days when students do not have school.

Q:  Who are the students?
 

A:  Sponsor-A-Scholar Program

• Students are academically promising, motivated students from low-income families who apply for the program in the 8th grade.  Students meet the program’s rigorous standards and expectations of academic performance and participation in community, academic, and enrichment opportunities that enhance their college preparations.

A:  One on One Academic Mentoring Program

• Students are in need of additional assistance to improve academic skills and scores. Students are at-risk youth who come from low-income families and attend Milwaukee Public Schools.

Q:  What are the qualifications to become a mentor in the YMCA Mentoring Programs? A:  Sponsor-A-Scholar Program:

• Adults with a college degree or comparable life experience who possess the characteristics of a successful mentor

• A commitment to guiding a Milwaukee Public School student on the path to a college education

A:  One on One Academic Mentoring:

• Young adults and adults over the age of 17 who possess the characteristics of a successful mentor

• A commitment to attend weekly group sessions promptly and consistently

Q:  Who is willing to mentor? 

A:  According to a poll of adults conducted by AOL Time Warner Foundation and MENTOR, the National Mentoring Partnership:

• 57 million adults would seriously consider mentoring.

• 99 percent of all mentors already in a formal mentoring relationship would recommend mentoring to others.

• The majority of people became mentors because they were asked; 75 percent joined through an affiliated organization.

Q:  What are the benefits of mentoring? 

A:  The benefits of mentoring go both ways.  Adult mentors often report that their mentoring experiences improved their lives in tangible ways.  Not only do they feel better about themselves for playing a positive role in a young person’s life, but they also find that mentoring teaches them more about themselves.  Mentoring increases their sense of responsibility and accomplishment, and lays the foundation for better morale at work, and better relationships with family, friends and coworkers.  Mentors report that they develop more patience, develop new friendships, feel more effective and acquire new skills.

Q:  I am interested in learning more about how I can volunteer with YMENTORING. Who should I contact? 

A:  For more information please contact Marie Olmsted at mentoring@ymcamke.org or 414-274-0828.