FAQ's
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about being a mentor! If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to us!
Can I take vacations and/or travel for work while I’m mentoring?
We get that you're people too, with lives outside of volunteering. Feel free to take vacations or travel for work whenever you need to. Just a heads up: when you're away, please let your mentee and their caregiver know ahead of time, and let them know when you'll be back and when you'll catch up again. Thanks for keeping us in the loop!
What do mentors and mentees do together during hangouts?
When you hang out with your mentee, the possibilities are endless! You two decide what to do together. We provide some fun ideas and structure through goal-setting and activities, but the rest is up to you both!
Plus, every pair gets a FREE gym membership and our staff plans at least one activity a week just for you two. We'll also send you a weekly newsletter with free community activity suggestions.
You might go for a walk, cook dinner, hit the court, attend an event, or get creative. Whatever you choose, we're excited to see what adventures you'll have!
What if I don’t have access to a car?
We don’t want a lack of access to a car to get in the way of you being able to mentor. However, we rely on mentors to transport their mentee to activities and events, so a system needs to be set in place that won’t limit your/your mentee’s ability to participate in the program. If you don’t have access to a car, please let us know in your initial application so we can work with you to come up with a transportation plan for mentoring and see if this opportunity will work for you.
How does Bolder Options choose mentor-mentee pairings?
We put a lot of thought into mentor-mentee pairings. We match mentors and mentees based on preferences collected during the application process, compatible personalities, shared interests, geographic location, and gender identity (mentors and mentees are asked about their preferred mentor/mentee gender identity).
Can I mentor a youth with my partner/spouse/
friend/coworker?
At this time we don’t match youth with two mentors focusing on a 1:1 approach to mentoring relationships.
However, once you, your mentee, and both of your families get to know each other better, it is okay if a partner/spouse tags along to our Bolder Options Family events. We just ask that you get your mentee’s caregiver’s permission to spend time with your partner/spouse.
If you have a friend or coworker that would like to explore mentoring with Bolder Options, feel free to bring them along to our monthly mentor meet-ups, annual Open House or connect them with a Bolder Options staff member.
I’m a parent. Are my kids allowed to meet my mentee?
Once you and your mentee get to know each other, it is okay if a family member tags along to our Bolder Options Family events or an occasional hangout (no more than once every quarter). We ask that you get your mentee’s caregiver’s permission first, if your child, or another family member, will be joining you for a hangout.
Is there a specific date that the program begins?
Our program doesn’t have a specific start and end date. We bring mentor-mentee pairs into the program on a rolling basis and graduate pairs on a quarterly basis. You and your mentee will graduate from the program in the middle month of the quarter you were matched (i.e. a pair matched in January 2023 will have their official graduation in February 2024).
How much does the program cost?
This program is designed to be completely free for everyone involved. We encourage mentors to do free activities with their mentees by offering ideas, events and activities to keep you busy during your year.
Pairs get a free gym membership, program staff plan at least one free event each week and mentors receive a newsletter with free community activities.
What kind of support do mentors receive from Bolder Options?
We are a small program that prides itself on building a community of support for the mentees and mentors in our community. Mentors and mentees have a dedicated staff member to facilitate meetings, support communication and help resolve any issues that come up during the year. We also host monthly Mentor Meet-ups which are an event exclusively for mentors to connect with each other, share in the successes/challenges of mentoring, and learn how to be an effective mentor.
I see that Bolder Options requires a background check for all mentor applicants. Can I still apply if I don’t have a clean record?
We do require background checks to mentor with Bolder Options, but take more than just your background check results into consideration when determining acceptance to the program. We understand that folks with a record can still make great mentors, but we need to be aware of what is on your record and will ask you to disclose this during the application process. We determine eligibility on a case by case basis.
When is a good time to start mentoring?
The best time to start mentoring is when you have the availability in your schedule to devote 2-4 hours per week to spend with your mentee. Being able to show up consistently for your mentee is critically important. We bring mentors and mentees into the program on a rolling basis, so you can start the application process anytime!
Will you help me come up with ideas for what to do with my mentee?
We will definitely help you with ideas of what to do with your mentee! For the most part we want you and your mentee to focus on being physically active, setting goals, and having fun together. We do the following to provide you with ideas of what to do with your mentee:
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Host weekly events for mentors and mentees.
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Send a weekly newsletter with free/cheap activities during the summer and winter.
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Every mentor-mentee pairs receives a YMCA membership
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We provide tickets to sporting/arts events and opportunities throughout the year
Who are the youth in your program?
Our youth come to us from a variety of backgrounds; not limited to but including, the LGBTQ+ community, BIPOC communities and various abilities.
Do I have to be athletic/super fit to be a Bolder Options mentor?
We accept mentors of all ages, abilities and fitness levels. Our program focuses on being physically active, so you do need to enjoy being active. However, for many mentees in the program, they are just getting exposed to being active for the first time. Having a mentor who loves to be active, but doesn’t describe themselves as “fit,” can set a non-athletic youth at ease about trying new kinds of physical activity.