Mentor 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.

Please note that the EMPOWER VI Mentoring Program requires Mentors to undergo background checks, provide professional references, create and use a Vanderbilt email address, and complete training, including a protection of minors training.  

‍Ready to apply? Mentor Application

The sections below outline the role and responsibilities of 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 learning activities together, sharing resources, and through compassionate communication
• Strive for mutual respect
• Help foster your Mentee's self-esteem and motivation

Time Commitment

• Participate in onboarding and required asynchronous trainings, including a Protection of Minors Training (2-3 hours, completed prior to orientation)
• Attend an initial orientation (60 minutes in August)
• Complete all pre-, mid-, and post- mentorship surveys (30 minutes each) to help us 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)
• Spend one hour of monthly contact with your Mentee in a virtual mentoring session on Microsoft Teams.
• Participate in check-in communications with your Mentee in-between mentoring sessions using the shared Teams chat  
• Complete monthly Mentoring Session Feedback Forms to share goal progress and document when the next mentoring session is scheduled
• Attend an initial orientation (60 minutes in August)

Mentor Participation Requirements

• Be an adult (over the age of 18) who is blind or has low vision
• 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 past 5 years
• Have access to a stable internet connection  
• 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
• 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

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

Desirable Qualities

• Active listener
• Encouraging and positive
• Supportive and patient
• Dependable
• Flexible
• Respectful of individual differences

Benefits

• Personal fulfillment through contribution to the blind and low vision community
• Satisfaction in helping someone mature, progress, and achieve their goals related to adulthood
• Access to training sessions and learning activities
• Receive 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@empowervi.org.