Mentee Role

The EMPOWERing Youth with Visual Impairment (“EMPOWER”) project is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The goal of EMPOWER is to equip transition-aged students with visual impairment living in rural communities, their families, and the transition professionals who serve them with virtual supports to improve postsecondary education and employment outcomes. The EMPOWER Mentoring Program was developed with these goals in mind. The virtual format of the Mentoring Program allows for easier connections with our ruralcommunity members. With guidance and support from EMPOWER staff, Mentors with visual impairments can draw upon their experience and expertise to encourage Mentees with visual impairments to successfully navigate their postsecondarygoals.

Mentoring by adults with visual impairment can provide a supportive bridge for transition-aged youth with visual impairment, helping them build confidence, skills, and a path toward asuccessful future. Benefits from mentoring include shared understanding, rolemodeling, career guidance, networking, and support in building self-advocacy skills. Through this program, Mentors and Mentees will partner to develop Mentee-driven goals. With support and guidance from their Mentor, the Mentee will take steps to progress towards reaching their goals.

Note to Parents/Guardians: The EMPOWER VI Mentoring Program requiresbackground checks, professional references, and protection of minors trainingfor all our Mentors.

Mentee Initial Screening

• Parent or guardian must complete a Mentee application.
• Participate in a Mentee interview with parent/guardian present.
• Parent or guardian must complete the Vanderbilt University Participation Agreement for Adults/Minors Under 18 Years of Age form if the Mentee is under the age of 18.  
• Complete the Mentee Agreement Form with parent/guardian signature if the Mentee is under the age of 18.
• Review the Empower VI Mentorship Program policies and procedures manual.
• Participate in required training.

Mentee Role

• Attend and participatein an ongoing, virtual, one-to-one relationship with your Mentor.
• Participate inlearning activities both on your own and with your Mentor.
• With support from your Mentor, build transition goals for yourself and actively work toward reaching those goals.
• Share information with your Mentor about progress you have made with your goals.
• Communicate withyour Mentor if you have questions or concerns about your goals.
• Communicate withstaff if you have any concerns during the program.  

Time Commitment

• Commit to participating in the Empower VI Mentoring Program for at least one school year (about 9 months from September to May).
• Attend an initial 60-minute orientation (in August) and review transition resources as needed.
• Participate in required training (45 minutes in August) and review resources.
• Participate in one hour of communication with a Mentor monthly (can be extended to 90 minutes with prior approval).
• Complete monthly activity reports that explain goal progress and/or any concerns you have.  

Mentee Participation Requirements

• Have access to stable internet connection for program communication (participants will be asked to use Microsoft Teams for communication).
• Be enrolled as a junior or senior in a high school or transition program.
• Receive special education services under the category of visual impairment.
• Live in TN (we are also accepting applications from students living inrural communities in other states).
• Complete Mentee application.
• Complete interview with EMPOWER VI staff (with Parent/Guardian present).
• Review Empower VI Mentorship Program policies and procedures manual.
• Complete Mentee agreement (with Parent/Guardian approval).
• Participate in learning activities both on your own and with your Mentor.
• Communicate with your Mentor if you have questions or concerns about your goals.

Desirable Qualities

• Active listener
• Dependable
• Patient
• Flexible
• Tolerant and respectful of individual differences

Benefits

• Receiving support to progress and achieve goals related to adulthood.
• Access to transition resources and learning activities.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please have your Parent/Guardian complete the Mentee Application. For more information or questions, contact the EMPOWER VI Mentoring program by emailing info@empower.org.