Mentor Role

EMPOWERing Youth with Visual Impairment (“EMPOWER”) is a project 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 mentorship program allows for easier connections with our rural community members. With guidance and support from EMPOWER staff, Mentors with visual impairments can draw upon their experiences and expertise to encourage Mentees with visual impairments to successfully navigate their postsecondary goals.

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 a successful future. Benefits from mentoring include shared understanding, role modeling, 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.

Please note that the EMPOWER VI Mentoring Program requires background checks, professional references, and training, including protection of minors training, for all our Mentors.

Initial Screening

• Complete a Mentor application.
• Complete an interview with EMPOWER VI staff.
• Provide two professional references.
• Participate in a criminal history background check screening.
• Review Empower VI Mentorship Program Policies and Procedures manual.
• Complete Mentor agreement.
• Participate in required training (outlined below).

Mentor Role

• Take the lead in supporting a young person through an ongoing, one-to-one mentoring relationship by scheduling sessions, developing and discussing Mentee transition goals, and supporting the progress of these goals.
• Serve as a positive role model.
• Build a positive relationship with a high school student with a visual impairment by participating in transition learning activities together, sharing resources, and through compassionate communication.
• Strive for mutual respect.
• Build self-esteem and motivation.

Time Commitment

• Commit to participating in the Empower VI Mentoring Program for at least one school year (about 9 months from September to May).
• Spend one hour of monthly contact with your Mentee in a virtual mentoring session (can be extended to up to 90 minutes with prior agreement).
• Complete monthly activity reports that explain goal progress and document when the next mentoring session is scheduled.
• Attend an initial orientation (60 minutes in August).
• Attend required training, including Protection of Minors Training (2 hours in August).

Mentor Participation Requirements

• Have access to stable internet connection (participants will be asked to use Microsoft Teams for communication).
• Be an adult (over the age of 18) who is blind or visually impaired.
• Be currently employed or attending college or a technical school, and/or
• Have graduated or exited high school within the last 15 years or have recent college or job onboarding experience within the last 5 years.
• Willing to complete a criminal background check. This is to ensure the safety and well-being of all program participants.
• Must not be a user of illicit drugs.
• Must not use alcohol or controlled substances in an excessive or inappropriate manner.
• Must not have falsified information during the screening process.

Desirable Qualities

• Active listener.
• Encouraging.
• Positive.
• Supportive.
• Dependable.
• Patient.
• Flexible.
• Tolerant and respectful of individual differences.

Benefits

• Personal fulfillment through contribution to the community and individuals with visual impairment.
• Satisfaction in helping someone mature, progress, and achieve their goals related to adulthood.
• Training sessions and learning activities.
• Personal ongoing support and supervision to help the match succeed.

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