PYD's Mentoring Program Structure

You've chosen to be a part of PYD's mentoring program, so we'd like to fill you in on how our program works. Here are some IMPORTANT program Do's and Don'ts.

We'll start with the Do's:

• Contact PYD staff if you are frustrated, concerned or confused
• Pay attention to safety concerns and signs that something may be wrong
• Keep your parent(s)/guardian(s) up-to-date about your relationship with your mentor and let them know about any plans you and your mentor make to get together
• Follow all program time requirements and try to take part in group activities
• Take the initiative to email or call your mentor and help your mentor make plans for get-togethers
• Pay for your share of expenses
• Let PYD know as soon as possible if you can't continue the relationship, whatever the reason

Now for the things PYD asks you not to do. Don't:

• Intake any alcohol or drugs before or during the time you spend with your mentor
• Go on overnight trips with your mentor
• Make inappropriate, hurtful or embarrassing remarks to your mentor
• Expect your mentor to pay for your share of expenses
• Forget to let your parent(s)/guardian(s) know about plans to see your mentor
• Expect your mentor to make all of the effort to communicate with you and to see you
• End your mentoring relationship for any reason without notifying PYD staff

Hopefully all of the Do's and Don'ts are clear. Of course, you might be wondering what we mean by time requirements and group activities. Here are the time requirements for the mentoring programs:

Mentor Match Program

• Call or email your mentor at least once per week.
• Get together with your mentor at least once per month.

Partners Online Program

• Email or chat online with your mentor at least twice per week.
• Get together with your mentor at least once every three months.
• Take part in online mentee forums with other mentees where you can exchange information and ask questions

Additional time requirement for both programs:

• Complete a PYD youth survey when you begin a mentoring program and every six months after that to help us make sure our programs are the best they can be.

Group Activities

PYD wants to give you the chance to meet other mentees and mentors, so we hold very fun activities for everyone in the mentoring programs once every three months. Activities include Red Sox games, trips to movies, museums, and the theater, remote control boating on the Charles, and pizza parties. We've got lots of ideas for more get-togethers, and we'd love for you to join us. You don't have to participate, but if you don't, you'll be missing out on a great time with some amazing people.