Low self-esteem is one of the major issues faced by the youth served at Eva’s Phoenix. This factor is especially important when the youth are moving through critical transitions such as entering the program, starting a new job, and leaving the program. Fear of the unknown often prevents youth from “moving on”; even if they are unhappy in the situation they are in, many would choose to stay there rather than move to another situation that they think they would not be able to handle.
Mentorship plays an especially important role in helping the youth to negotiate these transitions. It helps to fill a gap in the lives of many youth who feel they have no one they can turn to for advice. Mentors can help provide the youth with guidance, an alternative perspective, encouraging confidence, and a positive influence in their lives. Mentoring is also an important way to help youth make contact with people from the community, and for community members to get to know these youth.
Eva’s Phoenix has developed four mentorship streams:
One to One Mentorship matches adult individuals with youth. The commitment is for three to six months, although it often develops into a longer relationship. Mentors spend at least four hours per month with the youth, which could involve a combination of face-to-face, phone and e-mail contact. A mentor commits to the relationship and listens, supports, and offers friendship, perspective and guidance. A match with a mentor can be based on personal skill development, career/educational support, social/recreational interests, or it may be culturally based.
Project-based mentorship is oriented around a specific focus. Past projects have included: writing and producing a film depicting life on the street, the production of a CD of music written and performed by the youth, and a photography project.
Peer mentorship connects youth currently living at Eva’s Phoenix with graduates of the program who faced similar life experiences. Peer Mentors provide leadership and support to youth in a number of areas, including the on-site governance committee and a number of activities. The Peer Mentors receive extensive training in group dynamics, leadership, communication, conflict resolution and diversity.
Workplace mentorship helps the youth to acclimatize to his/her work environment. The mentor is a peer, not a supervisor, and is selected by the employer, in consultation with the Job Developer.
New mentors are often recruited through advertisements as well as personal contacts. The screening process for new mentors includes the following steps: 1) interested individuals are informed about the program and what kind of commitment is required of them; 2) they complete an application form; 3) they attend a group orientation; 4) they have a one-on-one interview to introduce them to procedures and code of conduct; 5) a criminal record check is completed; 6) a reference check is completed. Once all of these steps are completed, successful candidates proceed with a match.
The relationship between the mentor and the youth usually progresses through a number of stages. Initially, they meet frequently, either at Phoenix or elsewhere with youth who are graduates. The mentors try to respond to what is happening to the youth at that moment, and support them through the rough spots. They are able to help the youth to integrate into new settings in the community. They can also alert staff to potential problems and get support from staff for their own role. Over time, as the youth get more settled into the community, work/school and longer-term housing, the mentor relationship usually becomes less dependent.
Eva’s Phoenix has developed extensive documentation to support the mentorship program.
For an overview of the mentorship program, click here (OPENS NEW WINDOW)
For the policies and procedures for the one-to-one mentorship program (
PDF 412 kb)
For the policies and procedures for the Peer Mentorship Program ( PDF 584 kb)
 Lessons Learned
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Mentorship can be an important complement to the work of staff. They can establish important personal relationships with the youth, and help them to connect with others in their workplaces or their community.
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When considering a mentorship match, the fit of personalities is extremely important. Both parties need to have input on whether they think it is a good match.
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One of the best ways to find mentors is by word of mouth, personal networks and through other mentors.
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