MENTEE APPLICATION
Overview:
Mentors and mentees will meet twice a month, on Wednesdays, for a group mentoring session and once a month for a group activity. Both mentor and mentees make a commitment to spend time together throughout the academic year. They can participate in activities that they both enjoy. The mentors are not private tutors, although sometimes, pairs may decide to work on homework together. We plan social group activities on a monthly basis that are open to all participants. We are also available at all times to answer questions, offer support, and help match work through challenges that may arise.
Recruitment of Mentors and Mentees:
Mentors complete a written application, including two references. They then participate in a one-on-one interview with a Focus Fairies Sr. Director of Community Engagement, at which time they learn about the program in detail and we get to know them and their background. After completing the interview process, the mentor must attend a training session. Mentees also complete a written application. We ask that parents attend an orientation held during the beginning of the academic semester to receive more information about the program and our guidelines.
Matching:
Focus Fairies matches mentors and mentees based on shared interest, personality, and cultural background (if important to the mentee). Unfortunately, we are not always able to match everyone who applies. This happens for many reason, but the most common are that we simple do not have equal numbers of mentors and mentees. If a student is not matched, please understand that it is not because she is unsuitable for the program. They will be placed on our waiting list and as soon as the opportunity arises for them to be involved, we will contact them . If a student is matched, their mentor will contact them by phone/email to let them know and set up time for introductions.
After Students are Matched:
After students are matched, they will meet with their mentor twice a month virtually for two hours. Parent consent must be given for all activities mentees participate in. As the mentors are volunteers, it is important that the mentee and the mentor are both respectful to the other's time.
Group Activities:
We host social activities at least once a month. These activities gives us the chance to get together and have fun! Our goal is to include: games, field trips, movies, bowling, BBQs, and more. Along with program-wide activities, our Focus Fairies members coordinate other events throughout the semester for smaller groups of pairs. This is to encourage a sense of community within our program and creates a chance for our participants to get to know each other better. We really want to hear from mentees about what they would like to do.
*The last two questions are related to COVID-19 precautions. Travel-related quarantines are based on traveling to states that fall under the City of Chicago's most recent Quarantine Order.
* indicates required
