|
|
|
What Exactly is Involved? |
 Print
Step 1: Order or Download Your Angel Tree Mentoring Materials
Step 2: Develop a Leadership Team
Step 3: Recruit and Screen Volunteers/Mentors
Step 4: Contact Caregivers
Step 5: Train Qualified Mentors
Step 6: Make a Match
Step 7: Supervise, Celebrate, and Report the Ministry
Step 1: Order or Download Your Angel Tree Mentoring Materials
 Call 1-800-55-ANGEL to order your AT Mentoring Support Kit which contains the materials you need to start, develop, and lead your mentoring ministry. Also connect with your local Prison Fellowship staff as they can help you find a local mentoring organization or initiative in your area that can help you with your mentoring ministry. If there is not a local mentoring organization in your area, contact the Christian Association of Youth Mentoring to learn about how they can help you develop a safe and effective mentoring ministry for you Angel Tree children.
Step 2: Develop a Leadership Team
A successful Mentoring program begins with the enthusiastic support of your pastor or church leadership. Our Coordinator/Leadership Guide is designed for volunteers and/or church staff that are going to be leading and coordinating your mentoring ministry. In this guide, you will learn how to develop and lead your church's mentoring ministry, as well as get some helpful information and materials that will equip you to train your church's mentors.
Step 3: Recruit and Screen Volunteers/Mentors
In your AT Mentoring Support Kit, you will find some specific tools that will help you recruit volunteers within your congregation. As you begin screening volunteers that have submitted applications, you will find some suggested screening steps, guidelines, and tools in your kit as you move forward in the process. Your church should also refer to the U.S. Department of Justice and your own legal counsel for advice on establishing a policy that provides the appropriate level of screening for your volunteers.
Step 4: Contact Caregivers
It's important to have a good idea of how many eligible mentors your church will have before contacting the caregivers of your Angel Tree children about your mentoring program and the opportunity for their children. You may contact by mail or phone - we include several suggestions and tools in the Mentoring Support Kit to help you with both methods.
Step 5: Train Qualified Mentors
 Organize a Mentor Training session for all your mentors that have come through the screening process. Utilize the training material and Power Point presentation in your Mentoring Support Kit to train your mentors in how to be a Christ-centered mentor to the child of a prisoner. Remember that in addition to recruiting mentors, it is encouraged to recruit other volunteers that can help in other ways that will make the ministry a success (screening, prayer, events coordinator, etc.)
Step 6: Make a Match
Weigh the mentor's profile and interests (from the application and interview) along with the children's profile and interests and make a mentor/child match. It is encouraged that once the matches are made to host an Introduction Event where the caregiver/child and mentor will have the opportunity to meet each other in a non-threatening environment. This event is a great opportunity to go over the expectations and commitments to the relationship with each of the matches so that everyone is on the same page. Each mentor can also discuss specifics to the relationship (meeting time, place, etc.) with the caregiver/child and go ahead and set up their first meeting.
If you do not host an Introduction Event or a mentor or caregiver/child are unable to make it, the Coordinator is responsible for meeting with both together to go over expectations and commitments and foster a warm hand-off of the relationship.
Step 7: Supervise, Celebrate, and Report the Ministry
Once the mentors have been trained and the matches are made, now it's time to provide the appropriate supervision to each of the relationships to help solve problems and foster growth in the life of the child. The Mentoring Support Kit has sample forms and an assessment/reporting tool that can help you appropriately manage and supervise the relationships.
Another key to the success of the ministry is the creation of a community of care for your mentors within your church. A consistent time and place where they can come together to share, pray, and receive continued instruction and encouragement is necessary. It is also encouraged to host special events where the mentors and children can come together for fellowship and fun.
Each month or quarter, the Coordinator should receive a report from each mentor sharing the progress of the child and relationship.
|
|
