Every child who needs a mentor
                           should have a mentor.
 




Happy Summer from VMP!

School may be out, but we know that mentoring programs continue to learn and grow throughout the season. VMP is no different. Our staff members have been hard at work enhancing training curriculum, providing customized support to programs, and collaborating and sharing ideas with other Mentoring Partnerships. We are excited to offer some new resources for programs this summer!



Mentoring Matters
Last month, VMP staff and board hosted another installment of our series called "Mentoring Matters," which is an opportunity to bring together stakeholders, supporters and friends of VMP. On May 27, we welcomed a number of former board and staff members back for an informal reunion, along with some new faces as well. 

Guests enjoyed a wine and cheese reception, met the new VMP team, and heard from Executive Director Elizabeth Bass on the newest updates from the partnership. It was a great evening to re-connect with longtime supporters, and look to the future of VMP's work supporting mentors and mentoring programs in Richmond and throughout Virginia. Click here to browse more photos from the event.


National Mentoring States Caucus
This month, VMP staff were inspired and energized to gather with mentoring partnerships from across the country in Baltimore. For three days, we learned and discussed best practices in training curriculum, data collection, provision of technical assistance, and more. Thank you to our hosts, Maryland Mentoring Resource Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake, and MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership for promoting a thoughtful and productive discussion about ways to engage the community in support of youth. Read a recap of our time in Baltimore.

 



Link to Learning

As your relationship with your mentee grows and develops, you may wonder how you can make the greatest impact or ensure that the young person is highly motivated by the relationship. Research indicates that certain broad actions, forming a developmental relationship framework, can significantly increase motivation and success. Check it out!

See more research from the Chronicle of Evidence-Based Mentoring.
 
Apply for Free Technical Assistance


Are you looking to enhance your mentoring program practices? VMP provides customized consultation to assess and strengthen four key program areas: design, operations, management, and evaluation.  VMP serves as the technical assistance provider for the region. This resource is provided by OJJDP and managed by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership. To receive these services, click here to fill out a request.

Questions? Email Director of Programs Rose Marie Wiegandt.



Let VMP Help Put Your Program on the Map

Each month, VMP receives dozens of phone calls from community members in Virginia who want to find nearby mentoring opportunities for both mentors and youth seeking mentors. MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership has designed a free database called Mentoring Connector. Registering your program in Mentoring Connector increases your program's visibility and allows potential mentors and mentees in the area to find your program. VMP's referral process will rely on the Mentoring Connector database. If your program wishes to continue to receive referrals from VMP, register with Mentoring Connector today!




Upcoming Trainings

 

Are you considering becoming a mentor? Is your mentoring program looking to train mentors before the school year? Check out VMP's New Mentor Training. 
 

New Mentor Training: 

Let VMP prepare you to be the most effective mentor possible. Participate in VMP's New Mentor Training and learn all the ins and outs of how to connect with your mentee, supportive communication skills, how to manage expectations and establish healthy boundaries .   


Mark your calendars! The summer schedule is as follows:  

 

  • July 9th 5:30-8pm 
  • July 21st 5:30-8pm
  • August 4th 5:30-8pm
  • August 11th 5:30-8pm

    • *All trainings located at the VMP offices in the Science Museum of Virginia

     

    Stay tuned to our website for registration details. 

    For more information or to schedule a training for your program, contact long@vamentoring.org.

     



    Program Spotlight: Peter Paul Development Center
    Every month, VMP will recognize the work and accomplishments of an outstanding program. Want us to feature your program's work? Let us know!

    Peter Paul Development Center Heart, Hand, and Head Mentoring Program exists to supplement the Peter Paul Development Center After-School program. The purpose of the Mentoring Program is to facilitate one-on-one relationships between adults from the community and the students in the East End who attend PDPC's After-School Program. PPDC Mentors meet with their mentees once per week on site over the course of a year. During that year, the Mentoring Program offers various relevant trainings to support the mentors as well as field trips to give mentor pairs an adventure together.  Mentoring Program Coordinator and VMP AmeriCorps VISTA member, CasSandra Calin, feels proud of the young people who have engaged fully in the program and opened up to their mentors. "Most students, when asked, did not know what a mentor was. As we grew the program, the students opened their arms to these new members of the Peter Paul family and quickly learned and respected the value of being in a mentor-mentee relationship."

    This summer, the PPDC Heart, Hand, and Head Mentoring Program is planning a Family Reunion event. This special event, held in Church Hill, will engage mentees, mentors, parents, and other family members to recognize and honor the support systems that make mentee success possible.  



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    Virginia Mentoring Partnership
    2500 W. Broad St, Third Floor
    Richmond, VA 23220
    804-828-1536
    Virginia Mentoring Partnership is a 501 (c) 3 organization that is supported by grants, corporate donations, individual donations and in-kind services.  For more information or to support our organization please visit us at 
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