YMI Mentor Monthly - February 2024 Newsletter

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'Mentor Monthly' Newsletter

February 2024

Creating Mentor Community

If you joined us for the January Mentor Appreciation Trivia Event, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. While a bulk of the evening is about trivia, competition (congratulations Fishers High School), AND showing our extreme appreciation for our volunteer mentors, we can't forget what's really happening in the room...and that's community. Our mentors are coming together, making new connections, and having fun together.

We're lucky that 2024 is a leap year and February is gifting us an extra day (for mentoring, of course). How are you going to spend your extra day? YMI encourages you to break out of the comfort zone and spend even 5 minutes connecting with the fellow mentors at your school at your next session. You already know you have one thing in common!

YMI would like to recognize our one and three year mentors for February.

Three year - ENCOURAGER

Andrea Fraley

Melissa Slabaugh

Stefanie Thomas

One year - MENTOR

Scott Thomas

Fred Zanto

Important Dates & Updates

Mentor 2.0 - Join YMI staff and fellow mentors to learn best practices on communication styles, growth mindset, guardian engagement, and more -- including exciting new YMI updates. If you're wondering how to better connect with your mentee, this collaborative learning opportunity is for you. Come for the cookies, leave with mentoring best practices!

Wed, Feb 28, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Final opportunity to email Megan to confirm your attendance.

Mentor Needs - We have strong male mentor needs at the following schools: Harrison Parkway Elementary (Tues @ lunch, females needed also), Riverside Intermediate (Tues @ lunch), Sand Creek Intermediate (Tues/Thurs @ 9:30 am). If you know of any men who have been on the fence about mentoring with us, we'd love to have a conversation! Please have them complete an interest form HERE.

Wines Around the World - We hope to see you at this year's Wines Around the World Event on Friday, May 17. Individual and dual tickets will be available soon with a VIP add-on option. If you're interested in sponsoring the event or providing a silent auction item, please email Brittany.

In the Community - YMI would love to meet with your organization, club, peer group, or friends. Please contact Megan or complete our Contact Us form if you'd like to schedule a community conversation.

QPR - It's smart to be prepared. Consider joining a Question, Persuade, Refer Suicide Prevention training. Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide has two hour sessions available this fall.

March 16, 9-11:00 am Register HERE

Missing Meet the Mentor? You can now find it in the YMI general newsletter "Our Schools, Our Students, Our Community."

Mentor's Corner

Checking in on existing goals

You've already set your goal for the year -- now what?

Set a regular check-in and make it fun & engaging
Don't be afraid to baby step it - breaking a big goal into smaller ones
Celebrate successes!

GOAL SETTING

As a YMI mentor you have likely had a conversation with your Campus Coordinator about "goal setting." Goal setting can be overwhelming, so why does YMI ask our mentors to set one goal each year? Great question!

It's a great connection point
Model goal-setting as an adult so it's a positive experience (what does it look like, what if you don't reach your goal, what if you change your goal)
YMI wants to know our matches! What motivates our students? What are they interested in? Where are they thriving and where is there opportunity for growth?
We want to show the community the outcomes of youth mentoring and the great work you're doing.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Black History Month has been celebrated every February since 1976, but each year a subtheme is shared and celebrated. This year's theme is the Arts.

Learn about new-to-you pieces of art through a virtual MOMA experience
Celebrations through film and music (or playlists on your favorite streaming platform)
A conversation about the theme and influences through history

YMI | ymionline.org

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