“Pinterested” in Mentoring? Look No Further!

We’re always looking for new opportunities to share information on mentoring.  And one of the most exciting ways we’ve done that this year is through Pinterest!  TMP joined the millions of people on Pinterest and created a variety of boards to share information about mentoring, match activities and program resources.

One question we always hear during Mentoring 101 trainings is – “What should I do with my mentee?” Regardless of where your match meetings take place, the focus of your program or the amount of time you have known your mentee, every mentoring match can run out of ideas for fun things to do together.

TMP’s Pinterest page offers a variety of match activity ideas for every season.  Many suggestions are Pittsburgh-themed, highlighting events and attractions around the city and the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.  Fun recipes, craft templates, games and more can all be found on the site.

Special events happening at TMP are also highlighted, such as National Mentoring Month (in January–t-minus 2 days!), mentoring conferences and fundraising events – making the page relevant for mentors, mentees and our program partners. Be sure to stop by often as new resources are added frequently.

Visit our Pinterest page now!  And as we prepare to close the books on 2013, take a look at Pinterest’s overall top pins for 2013.  Whether it’s crafty DIY ideas, home décor or classroom activities, there is something for everyone.

Happy pinning and we’ll see you in 2014!

The Holidays and Mentoring

The excitement of the coming holidays creates a lot of pressure in all relationships with youth. The expectations of time off of school, family gatherings and all the other holiday traditions can bring lots of joy and lots of questions about how to celebrate this time of year with your mentee.

Remembering to emphasize the centrality and importance of your relationship to one another is a good place to start. But the question of “should I give a present?” looms large in mentoring relationships.

Here are some ways to enhance your relationship without giving presents:

Share Time Together: Whether you like curling up with a book and a blanket or getting out into the frosty weather to sled or skate, take this opportunity to engage in your mentees favorite activities. Have your mentee teach you a new dance move, bake cookies together or go hiking in the winter woods – find activities that make the cold weather an opportunity for fun.

Make a Memory: Commit to doing something brand new for the new year! Challenge yourselves to enriching your relationship through reading a poem in a new language or going to an indoor climbing wall. Do something completely out of your comfort zone together – something you’ll always remember!

Serve Others: Do you know someone who needs their pets cared for during the winter holiday? A food bank that’s shelves are bare? An elderly person who could use a visit? Or a family in need of some decorations? You and your mentee can make a difference together by reaching out to those who could use some extra holiday cheer. Taking your snow shovels and going on a secret mission to clear your neighbors’ sidewalks would be a lovely surprise for the whole street – and one with ripple effects through the whole neighborhood.

Whether you choose to give a small token as a present or not, these activities will be remembered LONG after the wrapping and ribbons.