designing & implementing group mentoring … & implementing group mentoring programs march...

Collaborative Mentoring Webinar Series

Designing & Implementing Group Mentoring Programs

March 16, 2017


2017 Collaborative Mentoring Webinar SeriesPlanning Team

The Collaborative Mentoring Webinar Series is funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention through the National

Mentoring Resource Center and facilitated in partnership with MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership


Good to Know…

One week after the webinar, all attendees receive an email with:

• Instructions for how to access a PDF of presentation slides and webinar recording

• Link to the Collaborative Mentoring Webinar Series webpage, where all slides, recordings, and resources are posted.

Please help us out by answering survey questions at the end of the webinar.


• All attendees muted for best sound

• Type questions and comments in the question box

• Respond to polls

• Who is with us today?

Participate in Today’s Webinar


Today’s Webinar

• Tommy McClam, YouthBuild USA

• William Figueroa, Los Angeles Team Mentoring

• Jerry Sherk, California Mentoring Partnership, Mentor Management Systems

Q & A throughout the presentation (use the Q & A panel)


Tommy McClam

• Born and raised in the urban center of Buffalo, New York

• Former National Director of Mentoring for YouthBuild USA

• Currently the Deputy Director of Open Buffalo


William Figueroa

• Director of Programs for L.A. Team Mentoring

• Began his career over 20 years ago working with foster and probation youth

• Co-Chair for the Los Angeles Mentoring Partnership


Jerry Sherk

• Worked in the field of youth mentoring for over two decades

• Ran group mentoring programs in San Diego City Schools for six years

• Full-time consultant and trainer for youth mentoring programs


Today’s Topics

• How to Put the “Mentoring” into Group Mentoring• Creating and Delivering Curriculum• Running a Middle School Team Mentoring Program• Focus on a Culturally Relevant Group Mentoring

Effort• Example of a Cohesive Group Mentoring

Curriculum• Resources for Program Development


Group Mentoring Works!

Project Arrive Mentoring ProgramSan Francisco United School District

Ongoing Research by Dr. Gabe Kuperminc, Georgia State University

This school-based group mentoring program has shown that, as compared to a control group, Project Arrive Students have had in increase in:

• Problem solving skills• Self-efficacy (belief in one’s ability to succeed)• Sense of school belonging• Meaningful participation in school• Academic success

For more info on Project Arrive: http://sites.gsu.edu/project-arrive/


What is Group Mentoring?

• 1 or more mentors and 2 or more mentees

• OJJDP: no more than 1 mentor with 4 mentees

• There are countless ratios and group models


“Curriculum-Based/Sharing Groups”

There are many models of group mentoring, and various approaches can be effective.

Today, Jerry and William and Tommy are discussing a specific type of group mentoring: groups where both the curriculum (aka lessons/activities) and mentee sharing/discussions are integral components.

You may be considering another group mentoring model, but we believe your program can benefit from strategies described on this webinar.


Group & Elements of Effective Practice

1. Recruitment

2. Screening

3. Training

4. Matching & Initiation

5. Monitoring & Support

6. Closure


Benefits of Group Mentoring

• Cuts down on “recruitment” & “monitoring” and therefore is often less costly

• Can attract volunteers interested in activities• Reduces risk factors -- no “1:1 match alone in the

community”• Uses the power of peer relationships• A way for some organizations to venture into

mentoring• Can be combined with 1:1 mentoring


Potential Drawbacks - Group Mentoring

• Does not offer the intimacy of 1:1• Mentor attendance• Developing curriculum & activities/keeping

program fresh• Finding appropriate mentors, and training

them on group discussions, managing disruptive mentees, curriculum delivery


Putting the “Mentoring” into Group Mentoring

1. Consistency of Relationships: same mentors working with the same mentees over time (and the same mentees in the small group)

2. Sharing: The ability for mentees to safely share how their week has gone, and to receive support from peers and mentors. Example:“Good News/Bad News” (“Highs and Lows” etc.)


Reasons to Consider 2 or More Mentors for Each Small Group

1. Two mentors work together to provide curriculum, evaluate mentees and their needs

2. If two mentors, program can match mentors’ personalities/interests:• Young/Old• Introvert/Extravert• Directive/Patient • College Graduate/Tradesperson

3. Two mentors can better maintain mentee focus & discipline

4. If one mentor is absent, small group stays together (enhances sense of belonging /feeling safe; & confidentiality)


Developing Mentoring SessionsSession Development Matrix


Sample Group Exercise


Good News/Bad News


If You Are New at Managing Discussion Groups

Consider finding someone with expertise:

• Current or retired teachers

• Intern counselors or social workers

• Other individuals who have a background & comfort level in managing groups


14 Questions for Program Development


16-Page “How-To” Manual in Handouts


Los Angeles Team Mentoring

• William Figueroa, Director of Programs

• Founded in the aftermath of the 1992 LA riots

• Connects 1300 middle school youth with 330 caring adult mentors weekly

• Operates at 11 Los Angeles Title-I middle schools from 3:00-5:00 PM providing

• Has served over 25,000 at-risk middle school youth

• 3:10/12 mentor to mentee ratio


LATM’s 3:10/12 Model

LATM pairs 3 adult mentors to 10 to 12 mentees per group

1. Teacher Mentors

• Build on an existing student relationships

• Serve as a constant presence for the student on a daily basis

• Improve school engagement

2. College Mentors

• Make higher education a more tangible reality for youth

• Closer to the mentees’ ages—more relatable

• Serve as a valuable role model

3. Community/Corporate Mentors

• Provide varied perspectives in life and career experiences

• Often expand youths’ horizons beyond immediate school & neighborhood environment


Benefits of Multiple Mentors in Each Group

LATM Mentors have shared:

• The team approach feels less intimidating/there is less pressure--allows for mentors to co-mentor and share facilitation responsibilities

• Buddy system--comfort in knowing that if there were an emergency/pressing engagement, that there is another mentor to fall back on

• No bad cop--there is not one disciplinarian in the classroom and mentors can tag team on behavioral issues


How “Team/Group” Benefits Mentees

• Less intimidating – students want to make friends and enjoy being with their friends and thus, engage more quickly

• Power of the peer setting – mentees are forming their identities, and that’s why they listen more closely to the opinions and suggestions of peers—and adult mentors can facilitate activities and discussions to move in a positive direction

• Positive influence of multiple mentors/role models—in LATM, from 3 life perspectives

• Curriculum delivery – our lessons give the mentees the opportunity to open up their worlds, learn new skills, and to stay on a positive path


LATM Curriculum Areas

• Team Building & Leadership Development

• Self-Awareness & Healthy Relationships

• Health and Wellness

• Conflict Resolution and Anger Management

• Cultural Diversity and Community Service

• Digital Citizenship


Curriculum Snapshot

Curriculum Example of LATM’S“Self Esteem and Healthy Relationships Phase”

• Week 1 - Students have the opportunity to identify and celebrate

each other’s positive traits

• Week 2 - Students explore the concept of counteracting a negative

emotional cycle to help build resiliency

• Week 3 - Students continue exploring the concept of self esteem

and overcoming negative self-talk


Group Makeup (AKA “Matching”)

• Matching mentors with mentors

• Matching mentees with mentees

• Matching mentoring teams with groups of mentees


Mentor Training

• Recruit mentors that will likely be successful in the group setting

• Train mentors on mentoring basics (just like 1:1 mentoring)

• Additionally, train them on “facilitating group mentoring” – Setting group rules and norms

– Conducting sharing exercises

– Facilitating group activities

– Managing discipline problems


Mentor Training (Cont.)

Practice Curriculum Delivery


Training Mentors on Mentee Sharing

• “What’s good with you today?”

• Determine upfront if you prefer raised hands or an open group discussion

• Follow up with two open-ended questions for every piece of information shared

• Don’t force shy kids to share

• Participate in the exercise, but not too deeply


Training Mentors on Group Management

• Be aware group with Storm, Norm, Perform and Mourn

• Prepare them for what could happen (scenarios)

• Provide them with strategies, e.g.: – Remind mentees of group rules

– Physically approach mentees who are acting out

– Give warnings

– Walk the disruptive mentee out of the group

– Be fair and consistent with rules

– Start with a clean slate at every session


Staff Support is Important!

1. Provide the training and curriculum for mentors that allows them to feel confident while engaging the mentees

2. Conduct session check-ins to ensure mentors are avoiding a task-oriented approach and are focusing on relationship-based mentoring

3. Make sure staff is available during all mentoring sessions to provide support; especially important to step in to mediate any severe discipline problems– this alleviates any “bad-cop” responsibilities from mentors

4. Track attendance throughout the program to ensure mentees and mentors are attending sessions (assures “retention”)

5. Conduct post-session debriefings/ongoing trainings


BRIDGE Mentoring Program

• Tommy McClam, YouthBuild Mentoring Coach

• YouthBuild USA - robust network of 260 urban and rural programs in 46 states

• BRIDGE began in 2014, as part of the My Brothers Keeper Initiative

• Focuses on young men of color, ages 16-17


Hopes & Dreams

• Funded as Part of “My Brother’s Keeper” Initiative Goal: To BRIDGE the opportunity gap for young men of color

• Mentoring is adjunct to other YouthBuild USA program activities & 1:1 Mentoring


YouthBuild USA Core Components


Using Mentoring to BRIDGE The Dream Gap


How to Build a BRIDGE

• Belonging

• Responsibility

• Initiative

• Diligence

• Greatness

• Efficacy

(With appreciation to Dr. Ron Ferguson, Senior Lecturer in Education & Public Policy, Harvard Graduate School of Education)


BRIDGE Group Mentoring Benefits

Normalize Feelings

Improve Problem-Solving

Receive Support

Raise Career Awareness

Develop Relationship Skills

Build Self-Esteem

Learn to Achieve Goals

Develop Teamwork

Youth Respected as Adults


• Typically, all mentors and mentees will first meet in large group

• Later divide into smaller discussion/activity groups of 6 to 8 mentees

• 2 Mentors are assigned to each 6-8 Mentees

• Consistency: Keep same mentees & mentors in same groups

Mentor Ratios/Group Sizes


Crossing the BRIDGE:

Success includes…

• Youth voice/choice in recruitment, selection, engagement, and closure/transition

• Group mentoring in support of one-on-one relationships

• 1 mentee, many mentors

• Preparing youth for lifetime of mentors

• Community leaders as mentors –placement (and program) champions

• Program leaders that take ownership

• Mentors who are culturally competent is essential (Willing to Learn)


Using the BRIDGE to Impact Community

• Lifelong relationships

• Co-mentoring opportunities

• The mentored becomes the mentor

• Establishing life-long relationships for long-term BRIDGE maintenance


BRIDGE Mentoring Curriculum

No Cost to Utilize (OJJDP-funded)http://youthbuildmentoringalliance.org/guidebooks

http://youthbuildmentoringalliance.org/guidebooks


Q&A

Type your questions in the question box:


Additional Resources

• Review on Group Mentoring at the NMRC site, by Dr. Gabriel Kuperminc, Georgia State University, with Implications for Practice by Mike Garringer, of MENTOR: http://www.nationalmentoringresourcecenter.org/index.php/what-works-in-mentoring/model-and-population-reviews.html?id=121

• Project Arrive, A Group Mentoring Program of San Francisco Unified School District: http://sites.gsu.edu/project-arrive/

• Group Mentoring: A Study of Mentoring Groups in Three Programs http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.113.6269&rep=rep1&type=pdf

http://www.nationalmentoringresourcecenter.org/index.php/what-works-in-mentoring/model-and-population-reviews.html?id=121

http://sites.gsu.edu/project-arrive/

http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.113.6269&rep=rep1&type=pdf


Additional Resources

National Mentoring Resource CenterApply for no-cost help for your mentoring program atwww.nationalmentoringresourcecenter.org, an online resource funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and facilitated in partnership with MENTOR

Mentoring ConnectorRecruit mentors by submitting your program to the Mentoring Connector (previously called the VRS)https://connect.mentoring.org/admin

http://www.nationalmentoringresourcecenter.org/

https://connect.mentoring.org/admin


Remember…

After the webinar:

• Please help us out by answering survey questions at the end of the webinar.

• Everyone will get an email with information on how to download the slides, recording, and resources on the CMWS webpage on the MENTOR website:

http://www.mentoring.org/program_resources/training_opportunities/collaborative_mentoring_webinar_series/

http://www.mentoring.org/program_resources/training_opportunities/collaborative_mentoring_webinar_series/


Stay Connected

• Email us at [email protected]• Tweet with hashtag #MentoringWebinar• Visit our webpage on the MENTOR website for past and upcoming webinars:

mailto:[email protected]


Reentry MentoringApril 20, 2017

1 - 2:15 pm Eastern

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designing & implementing group mentoring … & implementing group mentoring programs march...

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