This December, We're Celebrating All Abilities
MENTOR and Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD) are excited to announce a new collaboration to offer all youth mentoring programs full membership in the National Disability Mentoring Coalition (NDMC)! As NDMC members, programs can earn a Disability Mentoring Certification that increases their visibility in the Mentoring Connector search results and attracts more mentors seeking inclusive environments. The free certification process takes four months, during which time participating members are guided through a deep learning process around how to run a mentoring program that is inclusive to youth, volunteers, and staff with disabilities. Learn more about this Disability Mentoring Certification through a webinar on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST.
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Resources for Mentoring Youth with Disabilities
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Upcoming Events & Webinars |
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Free Virtual Training: Social-Emotional Learning in Mentoring |
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Don't miss our last professional development opportunity of the year!
Thursday, Dec. 17 | 1 pm to 2:30 pm EST
This session will cover:
- What social-emotional learning (SEL) is and why it matters right now
- Using the REACH framework for SEL
- The connection between SEL and equity
- How mentors can cultivate growth mindset with their mentees
- Specific tools mentors can use to support SEL in their mentoring relationship
- Opportunities to network and share with mentoring program peers on SEL strategies
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Early Bird Registration for the National Mentoring Summit Ends Soon! |
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This year’s 11th annual National Mentoring Summit will focus on Rising to the Moment and all the ways our relationship-centered movement has evolved, adapted, and been there for young people. Register by Dec. 18 for the early bird rate of $75. On the 19th, registration rates will increase to $150.
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2021 National Mentoring Summit
January 27 - 29, 2021
Virtual
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Be the Change: Join Our Antiracism Working Group
In an effort to create spaces for brave conversations among mentoring program staff members and leaders across our state, MENTOR Virginia is hoping to launch an Antiracism Working Group aligned with the Me and White Supremacy Workbook by Layla F. Saad. The objective of the working group is to increase each member’s personal awareness of and activism towards racial justice both personally and in the mentoring field. Our hope and goal is that each member who participates in this working group will be able to launch their own antiracism working groups with mentors, friends, family members, or others in their communities—creating a ripple effect that will help to change the oppressive systems operating in our work and in Virginia at large. Learn more below!
Please express your interest in participating by January 13, 2021.
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Help Us Select Topics for the 2021 Monthly Community Coffee Series
MENTOR Virginia is building our calendar of events for mentoring programs in 2021. We will be hosting a Community Coffee Hour on the 2nd Wednesday of each month to create space for Virginia-based mentoring programs to share with and learn from one another. Please complete our quick survey to let us know what topics you are most interested in talking about with other mentoring programs during Community Coffee Hour. Don't miss your chance to have a say in shaping the mentoring conversations during this upcoming year!
Please cast your vote by January 6, 2021.
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National Mentoring Month Opportunities
January is National Mentoring Month! In celebration, MENTOR Virginia is offering two free training events for mentors and program staff alike. Registration is limited, so reserve your spot early!
- January 7, 2021 – I Am a Mentor Day
- January 17, 2021 – International Mentoring Day
- January 18, 2021 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
- January 29, 2021 – #ThankYourMentor Day
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New Mentor Training
Tuesday, January 12, 5:30 - 7:00 PM EST
Virtual | Free! (usually $30 per person)
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Best Practices for Virtual Engagement
Tuesday, January 19, 5:30 - 7:00 PM EST
Virtual | Free!
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Webinar: Career Preparation & Success with Young Men of Color
Tuesday, December 15 │ 2:30 - 4:00 PM EST
This webinar will look at what young men of color need to prepare for and succeed in a career and will explore ways to build and leverage webs of support.
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Advocate for Youth Mentoring (Virtually!) at Capitol Hill Day 2021
Calling all program staff, mentors,
youth advocates, and young people!
We're looking for representatives from Virginia to join hundreds of others from across the country on January 27, 2021 for the 7th annual Capitol Hill Day (virtual this year). This important advocacy event allows Members of Congress and their staff to connect with mentors, advocates, professionals, and young people to talk about critical issues facing the nation’s youth and the legislation/policies they can implement to expand access to quality mentoring opportunities. To sign up, email Sarah at sarah@mentorva.org. This opportunity is open to all, including mentors and young people who wish to tell their own mentoring stories!
Please sign up by January 15, 2021.
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Act By Dec. 8th: Add Your Name: Encourage the Biden-Harris Administration to Advance Equity + Resilience through Executive Actions
The Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP) is inviting individuals and organizations to express their support for a set of executive actions for the Biden-Harris Administration to take “to address trauma and build resilience throughout the country.”
If you and/or your organization would like to sign on (indicate exactly how you want your name or organization to appear), contact Dan Press, CTIPP Policy Chair and General Counsel via email (jesse@traumacampaign.org). Below, learn more about the specific priorities included in this initiative, which span across education, workforce development, racial equity, health and more.
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Opportunities + Resources |
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Free STEM Coaching with Stipend for VA OST Educators
VPOST and ACRES have partnered to create a special virtual coaching cohort for youth programs interested in amplifying their STEM programming. This opportunity is free and comes with a $100 stipend! There are two time slots to work with your schedule: a lunchtime block, and an evening block. Learn the full details, including where to sign up, by clicking the buttons below.
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STEM Webinar: Ideas for Good | December 7, 2020, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm EST | Register
WagiLabs is providing professional development for elementary educators to create young, socially responsible, Kidpreneurs. The Kidpreneurs use design thinking to brainstorm “Ideas for Good” that creatively solve problems in their communities. Learn about the Wagiways and how this free resource could be used in an afterschool setting or in your classroom.
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23 Days of Youth Activities
Check out this weekday December calendar for art, music, yoga, social emotional learning, and indoor and outdoor projects and games to help youth of all ages feel better. Most activities can be conducted virtually or in-person. All activities are available through the Mizzen by Mott app, which is free through support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
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