Mentoring
Throughout schooling, participants get a lot of support up until they graduate high school. Once they are out of school, all those supports disappear. Individuals with disabilities sometimes face challenges to fill the gap and You’re With Us! is here to fill the void with support and new opportunities.
By pairing each mentee with a peer mentor according to personal needs and preferences, the mentoring program aims to facilitate an individual-based learning experience, form precious relationships, and create a sense of belonging for ALL.
See more about what mentors and mentees have said, and consider being a YWU peer mentor today.
Why Become a Mentee?
Each individual is unique - with unique talents and potentials and unique pathways to contribute to society. You’re With Us! fiercely believes that. The Mentoring Program focuses on individual needs, including each individual’s pace, preferences, and interests to explore their potential.
Each mentee is paired with a mentor. The mentees learn life skills, such as taking public transportation, working on budgets, and buying groceries; they practice socializing skills, including conversing with people, active listening, and resolving conflicts; they are accompanied to join a group or a community to further explore their values. Our mentors are selected through rounds of interviews and are active in sports teams, social inclusion advocating, arts, computers, and various other areas. Our campus coordinators will also assist participants in finding the ideal mentor from student groups on campuses.
By being part of the mentoring program, mentees learn, practice, integrate, and explore at their own pace, and lead with encouragement and company. In the mentoring program, no one is alone.
Alexa, with her mentor Ruby, cooking at home
Mattew, wearing a YWU T-shirt saying “Believe There is good in the World”
“Most recently, through Pete’s (Nick’s mentor) enthusiasm and advocacy, Nick has been able to audit the Perspective on a Coaching course at SSU! Of course, Nick is thrilled to be in a typical college class, learning about a topic he is passionate about with some of his peers from the baseball team! Pete’s instinct that Coach Passinari would be a good instructional match for Nick was spot on. Not only is Nick learning new things about coaching, he is a truly motivated learner with this motivation spilling over into other areas.”
— Jodi Jarvis, YWU Participant Parent
Katie and Anna, during mentoring
Why Become a Peer Mentor?
Mentees benefit from the mentorship, and our mentors are also expected to gain precious experiences. Our mentors care about creating opportunities for their mentees, so they are motivated to communicate with various groups of people, negotiate with school groups and departments, and explore events and activities. By becoming a mentor, one learns more about other communities and gets practiced to utilize things learned at school. For instance, improves socializing skills, time management and organizational skills, and leadership skills.
And what lies at the center of mentorship is the formation of precious relationships. Mentors will stand by their mentees on events and outings and enjoy wonderful times under the sky. Ultimately, our mentors enjoy being part of a community and through their own effort, they feel more confident and aspired to make a difference.
Luca, North Shore Regional Director, with her mentee
“My time with Paul and seeing his incredible family is a highlight of every week, from seeing the newest movies in theaters to mini golfing and a plethora of things in between. A few of my all-time favorites include going to the Topsfield fair this fall as well as a Christmas craft fair to get in the holiday spirit! This experience has truly touched my heart in ways I will forever be grateful for, and being able to hang out with such a kind-hearted, easygoing, and absolutely hilarious mentee has shown me what life really is about, all the little things. Watching Paul light up every room he walks into touches my heart immensely, with a simple smile or a wave Paul is sure to brighten absolutely everyone's day. You're With Us gave me a forever friend in Paul and his parents and I could not recommend this incredible experience enough!”
/Emily Beers, Mentor
what mentors have said
“My favorite thing about You’re with Us is the amount of fulfillment you feel after interacting with others, making new connections, and inspiring others to be the best they can be in life.”
/Hailey Bishop, Mentor
“The thing I love most about working with YWU is working with the mentees, either just talking with them about day-to-day things and helping them improve on life skills, or assisting them with personal projects they are working on. It gives an opportunity to connect with someone new and create a positive impact on their life.”
/Patrick Currier, Mentor
Emily Beers, with her mentee Paul
we want you to know…
Mentorship interactions are built upon both mentors’ and mentees’ comfort levels.
Help is always here for mentors and mentees. Mentors will have training and handbooks to get started, and both mentors and mentees will have coordinators that constantly check in with them, make sure they gain the experiences they want and assist them to solve any problem encountered.
Being a mentor is compensated at $18/hr and has a commitment of 4hrs/week of social inclusion.
Apply here to get support, or directly contact us.
Apply here to be a mentor.
If you don’t have the chance to be a mentor but still want to support the program, you can donate to help us recruit more peer mentors. You can also see if there is any other paid position that works for you!
We appreciate your help, and together we make a difference.