Mentee Role

The goal of EMPOWER VI 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. With these goals in mind, we developed the EMPOWER VI Mentoring Program, an entirely virtual mentorship program. In this program, blind and low vision Mentors draw upon their experience and expertise to encourage blind and low vision Mentees to successfully navigate their postsecondary goals.

Mentorship can provide a supportive bridge for transition-aged youth, helping them build confidence, skills, and a path toward a successful future. Benefits from mentoring include role modeling, career guidance, networking, and support in building self-advocacy skills. Through this program, Mentors and Mentees partner to develop Mentee-driven goals. With support and guidance from their Mentor, Mentees take steps to progress toward their goals.

Note to Parents/Guardians: All Mentors in the EMPOWER VI Mentoring Program must undergo background checks, professional reference checks, and complete a protection of minors training.

Ready to apply? Mentee Application

The sections below outline the role and responsibilities of Mentees.

Mentee Initial Screening

• With your parent or guardian, complete the Mentee application
• Participate in a Mentee interview, with your parent/guardian present
• If you, the Mentee, are under the age of 18 (or are under conservatorship) your parent/guardian must complete the Vanderbilt University Participation Agreement
• If you, the Mentee, are under the age of 18, complete the Mentee Agreement Form with your parent/guardian (Mentees who are 18 years of age or older must complete the Mentee Agreement Form)  
• Review the Empower VI Mentorship Program policies and procedures manual
• Complete required trainings before attending orientation in August

Mentee Role

• Attend and participate in an ongoing, virtual, one-to-one relationship with your Mentor
• Participate in learning 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 the progress you have made with your goals
• Communicate with your Mentor if you have questions or concerns about your goals
• Communicate with staff if you have any concerns during the program

Time Commitment

• Participate in required training (one hour) and review resources
• Attend an initial 60-minute orientation (in August) and review transition resources as needed
• Complete all pre-, mid-, and post-program measures used to evaluate the mentorship program
• Commit to participating in the Empower VI Mentoring Program for at least one school year (about 9 months, from September to May)
• Participate in one hour of communication with a Mentor monthly
• Check the shared Microsoft Teams chat for communications from program staff or your Mentor between Mentoring Sessions  
• Complete Mentoring Session Feedback forms that explain goal progress and/or any concerns you have

Mentee Participation Requirements

• Be enrolled as a junior or senior in a high school or enrolled in a transition program (in any U.S. state)
• Receive special education services under the category of visual impairment
• Complete a Mentee application
• Complete an interview with EMPOWER VI staff (with your parent/guardian present)
• Review the Empower VI Mentorship Program Policies and Procedures Manual
• Complete the Mentee Agreement Form (with your 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
• Have access to a stable internet connection for program communication (participants will be asked to use Microsoft Teams for communication)
• Ability to use Microsoft Teams for communication and collaboration or be willing to learn the platform with provided training
• Responsive communication with Mentoring Program staff throughout the program

Priority in selection of Mentees will be given to those who currently live in a rural community within the U.S., inclusive of U.S. territories.

Desirable Qualities

• Good listener – engage in active listening
• Dependable – can be counted on to follow through and show up
• Patient – willing to take time and problem solve when things do not go as planned
• Flexible – open to change and able to adjust when needed
• Respectful of differences – accepts and appreciates diversity in others

Benefits

• Receive guidance and support to help reach goals and prepare for adulthood from a blind/low vision adult with lived experience
• Gain access to helpful resources and learning activities related to transition and independence

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@empowervi.org.