Dream Builders Alliance

Mentor Job Description

**Application Deadline: Tuesday September 30, 2014**

About Dream Builders Alliance

The Dream Builders Alliance is a transition program offered by Community Vision, Inc. Dream Builders empowers young people with developmental disabilities and/or intellectual disabilities to take charge of their own lives and future by pursuing dreams in employment, college, housing, and community involvement. Youth participants attend programming events, meet-ups with mentors, and work one-on-one with program coordinators to explore personal interests and opportunities, and develop life skills.

Community Vision, Inc. works to make Oregon a place where people with developmental disabilities can live, work, and thrive in whatever communities they choose.

What is a Mentor?

A Dream Builders mentor is someone 18 years or older interested in working with young people with disabilities. A mentor works to provide a fun, and safe learning environment Dream Builders youth participants. As a mentor you share experiences with youth participants. Mentors offer time, support, and guidance to youth participants. Mentors may attend programming events with youth participants or meet outside of structured programming in the community to do fun things together. Dream Builders Alliance participants are ages 16-21.

Below is a list of things you may do as a Dream Builders mentor:

  • Meet with youths for coffee, lunch, or walks to discuss life, dreams, and goals
  • Practice riding public transit with a youth
  • Attend a class, campus tour, or job shadow with a youth
  • Attend a volunteer activity with a youth
  • Help youth complete a creative project for Dream Builders such as: Dream/Vision collage board
  • Participate in email communication with youth if appropriate
  • Help youth identify next steps when working towards a specific goal in the program

Desired Qualifications:

We are looking for the following things in our Dream Builders mentor pool. If you think you may not meet all of the desired qualifications, but are still interested in mentoring, please submit an application anyway and a Program Coordinator will be in touch with you.

  • College sophomore, junior, or senior
  • Current studying: Social Work, Disability Studies, Women’s Studies, Vocational Rehabilitation, Psychology, Human Development, or related field
  • Strong interest and passion for youth development
  • Previous experience working with youth
  • Previous experience working with people with disabilities
  • Access to reliable transportation or very comfortable with public transit
  • Reliable access to email and phone communication

Time Commitment

As a mentor you can expect to meet with 1 -2 youth participants you are matched with in the program at least once per month. You will commit to the following:

  • Commit to approximately 9-month timeframe (September 2014 – May 2015)
  • Attend Dream Builders Mentor Training Session (dates and time TBD)
  • Between 10 and 20 hours a month mentoring
  • It is likely you may need to arrange meet-ups with youths over the weekend, so it is beneficial to have 1 weekend per month flexible in your schedule
  • Make a one-year commitment
  • Communicate with the mentee weekly
  • Attend an initial two-hour training session and additional two-hour training sessions twice during each year of participation in the program
  • Attend optional mentor/mentee group events, mentor support groups, and program recognition events

Mentor Role

  • Take the lead in supporting a young person through an ongoing, one-to-one relationship
  • Serve as a positive role model and friend
  • Build the relationship by planning and participating in activities together
  • Strive for mutual respect
  • Build self-esteem and motivation
  • Help set goals and work toward accomplishing them

Benefits of Being a Mentor

  • Career experience related to social services and serving people with disabilities
  • College Credit provided through Pacific University (please check with other universities to see if your college offers credit)
  • Mileage reimbursement provided for any Dream Builders-related travel
  • Satisfaction in helping someone mature, progress, and achieve goals
  • Training sessions and group activities
  • Participation in a mentor support group
  • Personal fulfillment through contribution to the community and individuals
  • Personal ongoing support, supervision to help the match succeed
  • Mentee/mentor group activities, complimentary tickets to community events, participant recognition events
  • Mentor Financial Stipend of $200

Participation Requirements

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Reside in Portland metro area
  • Be interested in working with young people
  • Be willing to adhere to all program policies and procedures
  • Be willing to complete the application and screening process
  • Be dependable and consistent in meeting the time commitments
  • Attend mentor training sessions as prescribed
  • Be willing to communicate regularly with program staff, submit activity information, and take constructive feedback regarding mentoring activities
  • Have access to an automobile, auto insurance, and a good driving record
  • Have a clean criminal history
  • No use of illicit drugs; No use of alcohol or controlled substances in an inappropriate manner
  • Not currently in treatment for substance abuse and have a non-addictive period of at least five years
  • Not currently in treatment for a mental disorder or hospitalized for such in the past three year

Desirable Qualities

  • Willing listener
  • Encouraging and supportive
  • Patient and flexible
  • Tolerant and respectful of individual differences

Application and Screening Process

  • Written application
  • Driving record check
  • Criminal history check: state, child abuse and neglect registry, sexual offender registry
  • Personal interview
  • Provide three personal references
  • Attend two-hour mentor training

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY VOLUNTEER POSITION
Minorities and Women Encouraged To Apply