Nanaimo Unique Kids Organization

Mentoring Project

2008-09

Funded in whole or part through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market

Development Agreement.

Nanaimo Unique Kids Organization

• Non-profit charitable organization

• Serves neuro-developmentally disabled children & their families

• Provides 2 Learning Centres in Nanaimo (growing)

• Offers support to

families

NUKO now helps NUKO now helps families to… to…

advocate for children/youth

access services

form or refer to support groups

establish recreation groups (families and children/youth)

present information sharing (workshops, etc.)

Why a mentoring Why a mentoring program?program?

Environmental Scan- Survey Results found problems…

* Parent Knowledge* Access to Information* Waitlists* Funding changes* Cracks & Collaboration* Transitioning

What support do parents & caregivers receive?

advocacy help

group recreation

peer contact

information

education & more…

And supports for youth and young adults?

•pre-employment skills

•life skills

•academic support

•recreation

What is Mentoring? is Mentoring?

“Mentoring is a relationship where a person with relevant

experience supports, counsels, guides, and helps another

individual to develop similar capacities.”

Who is a mentee?

1. 16 + years (disabled)

2. parent/caregiver

Seeking assistance to

access information,

programs/services, recreation, etc.

Who is a mentor?Who is a mentor?

good listener

patient, tolerant, informed/experienced

helpfulshares knowledge,

empowers, encourages,

18+

available

& willing

accepts

training

Win-Win Mentoring…Win-Win Mentoring…

mutually beneficial

networkinnetworkingg

changes changes liveslives

helps children, youth, young adults

Mentoring benefits…

MENTEE

knowledge

information

networking

attain goals

support

MENTOR

share knowledge

renew confidence

enhance networking

interpersonal skills

What is expected of me?

MENTORS

Attend training

Follow protocols, etc.

Be dependable

Be committed

MENTEES

Attend training

Follow protocols, etc.

Be dependable

Be committedIt’s for THEM!

Open communication…

be flexible

be honest (graciously)

build trust

talk, talk, talk,

listen, listen, listen

What support do Mentors and Mentees receive?

Clear expectations

Training

Matching to capacities & desires

Management support

Recognition

Criteria for participation…

RIGHTS

safe training/support

confidential service

file access

feedback/evaluation

respect, dignity, etc.

RESPONSIBILITY

be respectful

be informative

keep confidences

be responsible

Organizational Chart

NUKO Board of Directors

ProgramCoordinator

ClientIntake

Manager

MentorManager

ResourceCoordinator

Youth ResourceCoordinator

E-ResourceCoordinator

Ed. Toy LLCoordinator

M E N T O R S

Testimonials…

•professional

•parent/caregiver

Power of Mentoring…

MENTOR

satisfaction

MENTEE

strength

Mentees & Mentors…