About Mentoring

Mentoring at work

What is mentoring?

A mentor is a supportive, trusted advisor or guide. A postive mentoring relationship is designed to help someone navigate the difficulties of life to reach their full potential. A mentor shares time, valuable life experience and lots of fun with someone else, who is called a mentee.

There are both formal and informal mentoring relationships. An example of an informal mentoring relationship is what might occur when you spend time with a relative or someone in your neighborhood. A formal mentoring relationship occurs when you volunteer your time through an organization designed to support mentor-mentee relationships.

Mentors are not expected to act as parents, teachers, therapists or probation officers. Mentors provide support, encouragement, and guidence.

To be a mentor you must possess:

• a genuine desire and ability to form a positive relationship with another person
• an open and flexible personality, as people who want a mentor come from a variety of different backgrounds
• the ability to have fun while getting to know someone

Thousands of people in Anchorage could benefit from the friendship, guidance and support of another person in their lives.

It's fun, easy way to impact a life!

Imagine an Anchorage where ALL people feel supported to reach their potential and achieve their dreams. Together we can make it a reality!

Types of Programs

There are a variety of programs available to meet the needs and strengths of all mentors. Mentors can be paired with a person of any age. Many programs offer different settings as well.

Site-based
In a site-based program a mentor would meet with their mentee at a specific site (school, youth facility, etc.). They typically only meet and do a variety of activities at that particular site. Activities might include; sports, academics, arts & crafts, reading, games, etc.

Community-based
In a community-based program a mentor would meet with their mentee in the community doing activities they agree upon. The options are limitless. Activities might include; riding bikes, doing homework, hiking, trips to the library, skiing, taking walks, arts & crafts and seeing movies.

Please refer to specific organizations for the types of programs available.