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Peer Power for Mentors
"The best way to think of a mentor is as someone who will be
your confidante and guide. Someone you can go to in order to try out
ideas, get feedback and advice. A mentor is thus your coach, not
your champion. He or she doesn't create your success for you, but
helps you create your own success." - David Maister
There is no one better to guide another than someone who has already been on the journey. At some point in all our lives someone has shown us how to do things, guided us through their experience and supported us with their wisdom. As a Peer Power mentor you can bring your experience and know how together to support a high school student with a disability who is preparing to transition to adult life.
Transitioning in Peer Power means helping high school students with disabilities with support that provides the knowledge and skills to plan and prepare for employment, post secondary education, independent living and community life after high school.
In Peer Power matching two people who share a similar disability can be quite meaningful, however this is not a primary factor when making a match. Studies have shown that matches with a successful role model improved independent living skills, increased disability pride and provided a sense of greater optimism for the future. However, Peer Power recognizes that it may be difficult or impractical to match people based on having a similar disability. So, with that in mind, we also look at similarities such as hobbies, common interests, career options, and experiences as well as skills. A Peer Power mentor does not have to have a disability. Experience, commitment and interest are what is important.
A peer mentor's role is to:
- Build a trusting relationship with your peers
- Be persistent in establishing and maintaining a supportive relationship with your peers
- Spend quality time together
- Be a good listener
- Be a non-judgmental friend
- Serve as an advocate for your peers
- Maintain regular communication with your peers
- Praise and encourage your peers through all of their growth steps
- Model appropriate behavior
- Promote personal growth with well-planned activities
- Be a good role model
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