Mentoring New Mexico, Inc. is a tax-exempt, publicly-supported, 501(c)(3) non-profit New Mexico Corporation located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We have been matching screened and trained caring adult mentors with at-risk students in Santa Fe, Pojoaque, Espanola and Pecos since 1999. Mentors and students meet for 45 minutes to an hour a week at school each week school is in session.

Our mission is simple. It is to make a positive difference in the lives of the youth of Northern New Mexico. We do this by creating mentorships for our young people with caring members of our community who share with them the most valuable things they have; their time, their experience and their knowledge. To help our youth learn, grow and prosper. Studies show that students with mentors have a better chance of staying in school, staying out of trouble and playing a productive role in their community.

As a publicly-supported tax exempt corporation, Mentoring New Mexico gratefully accepts contributions which are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Mentoring is a rewarding, challenging, exciting, world-expanding and enjoyable experience. It's the best way to learn what life is like for many of today's youth. It keeps you young and offers a unique window into our schools, their challenges, problems and strengths. It provides skills that are useful in work and family situations, including your own children. Best of all, it's FUN!

What is a mentor? A mentor is a friend, a sympathetic listener and role model to a student who needs help and guidance. A mentor's influence can make a positive difference in a child's life. By sharing his or her experiences, a mentor can show a student a new world of possibilities and help the student create goals for the future. Students with mentors have a better chance of improving academically, staying in school, staying out of trouble and playing a productive role in their community.

Am I qualified to be a mentor? Any responsible and reliable person who cares about helping youth is qualified to be a mentor. We seek diversity in our mentors and gladly welcome men and women from all walks of life, ethnicities, ages, cultures and races, whether working or retired, people born here, long-term residents or recent arrivals. However different our lives may have been, we can all serve as role models. Our life experiences, whatever they may be, can help expand our students' world and show them vistas and alternative they would never otherwise have experienced. The greater the diversity, the better.

What is the application/screening process? All prospective mentors complete an application which includes listing three references. Applicants are also finger printed. We check your references and conduct a criminal background check. There is no cost to the applicant for this or for anything else.

What kind of training will I receive? You will attend an initial four-hour training session. The trainings include a review of the applicable school district's Code of Conduct, Volunteer Manual, rules and regulations, the role of the mentor, how to listen to students, how to talk to students, the resiliency model, the benefits to mentors and students, the impact of mentoring on the student's lives and possible careers, the mentor's responsibility, confidentiality and what needs to be reported, ice breakers, games and magic tricks and other useful mentoring skills. Follow-up workshops are held regularly during the school year. You can also have your own "mentor" to help if you have questions.

How long after I complete the application will it take before I begin mentoring my student? We try to get new mentors screened, trained and matched with a student as quickly as we can. Training sessions are held regularly. After being screened and trained, you will be matched with a student who has chosen to be in our program (and who has also completed an application, along with a referral form from a teacher or counselor and provided a signed parental permission slip). You will be contacted and a time to meet with the student arranged. You will be introduced to your student and the mentoring (and fun) begins.

What if I have questions or problems after I start mentoring? We provide continuing support for all our mentors through out the year. In addition to the workshops, someone from out staff will contact you on a regular basis. Our staff is always available to answer questions, provide support, suggest ideas or help in any way we can.

When and for how long does the mentoring last? We are a school based mentoring program. That means mentors meet with their students in school during the school day and only when school is in session. There are no mentoring sessions during the summer vacation or any other school vacations. We ask each mentor to make a commitment for one school year (nine months of mentoring sessions). Many mentors and their students want to continue meeting after that and we strongly support that.

What if my match doesn't work out? Almost all of our matches are successful. Mentors are not matched with a student without their prior approval. We provide guidance and support if needed. If a match isn't working and can't be fixed we will find you another mentee and your mentee another mentor.

Will I get to meet my mentee's family and other mentors? Yes. You'll have a chance to meet your mentee and his/her family at our special events (bowling party, year end picnic, etc.) and fellow mentors at workshops and events (Kick-Off Celebration, Mentor Appreciation Night, etc.).

What if I miss a mentoring session? We understand that there will be times (e.g. illness, vacations, work or family emergencies, etc.) when you'll miss a session. As long as you let your student know you can't make a session, it's not a problem if it doesn't happen too often. Much of the benefit our mentees get from having a caring adult in their lives is that we can be relied upon to keep our word by showing up on schedule. As much as our youth benefit from having a one-to-one relationship with a caring adult, it is better to choose one of our programs with a less demanding time commitment if you can't make most of the mentoring sessions.

How Do I Become a Mentor? It's easy. Just contact Gene Weisfeld, Director of Mentoring New Mexico at (505) 988-1611, P.O. Box 2391, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2391 or mnm@swcp.com and an application will be sent to you. You will then be contacted regarding training and the required criminal background check.

HAVE FUN!    HELP OUR YOUTH!    MAKE A DIFFERENCE!    BE A MENTOR!