Transforming Lives Ending Poverty Through Systemic Change Conference Role: Mentoring © 2013, National Council of the United States Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Inc. This copyright covers all materials in this presentation except where otherwise noted.

Conference Team Members NamePosition Steve CigichDistrict Council President – Waukesha WI Irene FrechetteDiocese Council President – Fall River MA Tom PelgerDiocese Council President – Peoria IL Mike SysloAssociate Executive Director – National Office Tamara ThrasherService Trainer – Cincinnati OH Archdiocese Council 2

 Mentoring Process Overview  Small group discussion  Break  Mentoring Process Detail & Tools  Q&A Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Agenda for this module

END POVERTY THROUGH SYSTEMIC CHANGE OUR VISION Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change One Person …. One Person One Neighborhood One Community at a time

 Conference Role: Mentoring Objective / Mentors / Participants  Impact on current home visit  Mentoring process overview – 3 stages  Process options  Other considerations  Getting ready to start  Parting thoughts Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change What we will cover in this overview….

 Empowerment  Mentoring  Collaboration  Advocacy Cornerstones for the Society’s effort Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Vision: End Poverty through Systemic Change Mentoring requires empowerment, collaboration & advocacy

 Today’s home visit: immediate, but temporary aid  Mentoring committed individuals out of poverty  Engaging parish in advocacy Conference R0le: Charity & Justice Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Vision: End Poverty through Systemic Change

Empower people to move out of poverty through:  Education & skill development  Supportive relationships  Social & professional connections  Spiritual growth  Community engagement Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Mentoring Objective

Every participant …  has autonomy and is responsible for their own actions  has the potential to grow  deserves empathy and compassion  has sacred dignity Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Program Values

Primary Consideration  Desire to improve their life situation and willingness to make personal changes to accomplish their goals Other Considerations  Open to accepting outside help  Strength to overcome resistance from family & friends  From an unstable environment and/or poverty Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Mentoring Candidates

 Team of 2 Vincentians  Coaches: “Connectors” / Cheerleaders / Friends  Not counselors / experts in every field which the participant may need to develop to move out of poverty  Help the participant implement their plan  Facilitate connections to community sources that enable them to build personal “resources” and achieve their plans Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Mentors

 Lead participants through the Getting Ahead program (Discovery, Goal Setting, and Planning)  Receive training in a process expected to last 2 to 4 months  Augments the Mentor role as another resource for the participant Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Facilitators

Home Visit Process - Modified Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change

Introducing Mentoring Little change to current home visit Not linked to decision to assist with immediate need Simple verbal introduction Leave behind “brochure” Best to introduce after support has been provided Mention in follow-up call to communicate assistance Provide them the brochure Additional participants via referrals from community partners

3 Stages: Acceptance Discovery / Goal Setting / Planning Implementation Mentoring Process Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change

Mentoring Process – Acceptance 1.Candidates call to express interest Answer initial questions If still interested, mentor team will call back to set up initial visit Tools Program brochure

2.Initial meeting of mentors and candidate Walk through program – steps, timeline, responsibilities Answer additional questions Establish realistic and agreeable expectations Outline next steps, including next meeting(s) and “Getting Ahead” program Tools Program brochure Participant Info Record Mentoring Process – Acceptance

3.Candidate decision to proceed Can stop at any time based on participant’s decision Could re-start if mutually agree Mentoring Process – Acceptance

Mentoring Process – Discovery / Goal Setting / Planning 5.Develop Goals - Getting Ahead program Mental models of life now Expense to income Time management Housing Family structure Social capital Self-assessment of personal resources Community assessment Future story Goals & Action Plan Tools “Getting Ahead” facilitator & investigator workbooks Facilitator training

Mentoring Process – Discovery / Goal Setting / Planning 5.Develop Goals - Getting Ahead, Mentor Guided Mental models of life now Expense to income Time management Housing Family structure Social capital Self-assessment of personal resources Community assessment Future story Goals & Action Plan Tools “Getting Ahead” constructs & tools, adapted to 2-on-1 “Under construction” Mentor training

Mentoring Process - Implementation 6.Facilitate Connections Coaches help connect participant to area sources to build resources Introduce them to people who can become social and professional “bridging capital” Participant sets pace. They are responsible for own progress Tools SMART goal Action Plan “Resource” Building Guide Release of Information

Mentoring Process - Implementation 7.Monitor Progress Participant sets pace - they are in-charge & responsible for progress Help them to reset priorities and actions as needed Loop back to facilitate connections appropriate to revised goals and plans Tools SMART goal Action Plan “Resource” Building Guide Release of Information Participant Info Record

Mentoring Process - Implementation 8.Process End When activity stops or participant no longer desires support in pursuing their plan This could take many years Friendships won’t end when initial goals are met Tools Participant Info Record

Step 4 – Design Decision: Process Options Getting Ahead program or use of Getting Ahead tools by Coaches & Individual Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change

Mentoring Process 4.Design Decision – Use “Getting Ahead” Program or Mentor- Guided approach to assist participants in developing their personal goals and action plans Could offer both for maximum flexibility

 Grounded in the theory of change  Safe, challenging, neutral, agenda-free learning environment  “Kitchen-table” learning experience  Content & peer dialogue contribute to learning  “Investigators” do the work of learning Philosophy of Getting Ahead © aha! Process, Inc.

Getting Ahead is Based on the “theory of change” People in poverty need an accurate perception of how poverty impacts their lives and an understanding of economic realities as a starting point both for reasoning and for developing plans for transition.  Philip DeVol © aha! Process, Inc.

Purpose of Getting Ahead: What Do I as a Participant Get?  Explore and analyze the themes of my life  Assess my resources  Make my own arguments for change  Build my own future story  Make my own choices  Prepare myself to take a seat at the decision-making table in my community © aha! Process, Inc.

ACTION RESPONSIBILITY POWER UNDERSTANDING WHERE I AM UNDERSTANDING POVERTY CO-INVESTIGATION (1) Economic class Plans (10) Action steps Future stories Critical analysis What it means to me Theory of change (2) How to build resources (9) Using the hidden rules of class to build resources (4) Self-assessment (7) Community assessment (8) What it’s like now (1 ) Causes of poverty (3) (Module) © aha! Process, Inc. “Getting Ahead” Program 10 modules, 16 sessions Language (5) Resources (6)

“Getting Ahead”: What’s Involved?  Closed group of 6–15 people; ideal size is 8-12  Basic program is 16 sessions of 2.5 hours  Meet once or twice a week  Puts Bridges and participants’ (“Investigators”) knowledge into a series of mental models  Facilitator helps investigators explore solutions; doesn’t teach / tell them what to do  Best results if there is long-term support from community partners for investigators’ plans © aha! Process, Inc.

Cost Components Getting Ahead Group of 12 over 16 Sessions Line ItemExpenseDescription $25 Stipend / participant / session $4,80012 is the ideal group size. Stipend paid by gift card (store, gas, bus pass etc) Getting Ahead workbooks$ S&H12 participant workbooks and 1 facilitator manual Facilitator Training Bridges Webinar SVdP Webinar Bridges Facilitator DVD $299 TBD $175 + S&H Next Bridges webinar: Nov 15/18 SVdP webinar under construction: 4Q2013 Module-by-module ideas Facilitators 0 - $900$0 if volunteers. If using GA graduates, pay at least same as investigator stipends. Workshop & participant supplies< $100Flip-chart paper, colored markers; folders, paper, pen, pencils for investigators. Child care, transportation, food0 - $1000Ideally, food & baby-sitting would be in-kind; provided by volunteers. © aha! Process, Inc.

 Pros for Facilitator guided “Getting Ahead” - Group Setting  Participants (“investigators”) learn from each other  Demonstrates the power of working together in a community  Reduces risk of mentor bias in participant’s plan development  Creates additional support network of peers on the same journey  Easier program tracking, assessment, and modification  Cons:  Creates administrative need to coordinate space and classes  Less flexible in scheduling for the participant Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Developing Goals & Plans: “Getting Ahead” Facilitator-Group Guided

 Pros for Mentor guided “Getting Ahead” – Individual Setting  Scheduled at the convenience of the mentors & participant  Less administrative need  Cons:  No peer-based learning and support  Heavier burden on mentor training to be able to “teach” Bridges constructs to participants  More risk of mentor bias in participant plan development  More difficult to provide consistent experiences among participants  Not yet developed (available from SVdP 4Q 2013?) Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Developing Goals & Plans: “Getting Ahead” Mentor-2:1 Guided

Other Mentoring Considerations Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change

 Primary assistance is not financial but personal, emotional support thru the journey out of poverty  Take care not to enable the current situation through ongoing subsidies of basic living expenses  Additional financial aid could take the form of “investments” that empower the individual (e.g. education, job skill training, certification…)  Any decision for financial aid should be brought back to the conference for approval Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Participant Financial Support

Financial Emotional Mental Spiritual Physical Support Systems Relationships/ Role Models Knowledge of Hidden Rules Integrity and Trust Motivation and Persistence Formal Register Building Bringing RESOURCES : Building vs. Bringing Reprinted with permission. Copyright J. Pfarr Consulting

 Establish District mentoring support group for mentors to share lessons learned  Conduct mentor background checks & child safe environment training  Establish procedure that enables participants to contact an independent Vincentian if there are problems in the mentoring relationship Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Process Oversight & Support

 Councils - - provide training, mentoring support groups, mentor oversight; “Getting Ahead” organization & facilitation; community resource analysis  Partners - - establish links to organizations that provide resource building programs in the community  Businesses - - seek partnership funding for Getting Ahead, job interview preference for participants Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Collaboration

 We are open to participants of all faiths  As the relationship deepens, it will be natural for mentors to share their faith experience…but care must be taken to not force our faith or its beliefs  For participants who want to learn more about the Catholic faith, connect them to RCIA program leaders Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Religion & Evangelization

Getting Ready in Your Area Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change

 Identify potential facilitators and mentors  Determine how you will use “Getting Ahead” – program, 2-on-1, or both  Note: process for 2-on-1 option is not yet designed  Establish guidelines and process flows for your local process  Number to call for info about mentoring  Modify current home visit practices (visit hours, use of blocked number calling, type of assistance, etc) for mentoring Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Readiness Checklist

 Provide Mentor and Facilitator training  Bridges Individual Lens  Mentoring Process  “Getting Ahead” Program & Outcomes (for Mentors)  “Getting Ahead” Facilitator training (for Facilitators)  Child Safe environment training (where appropriate)  Conduct mentor background checks  Form teams Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Readiness Checklist (cont’d)

 Identify local sources for resource-building and establish relationships with each  Adopt, adapt, or develop your supporting forms  Process maps & descriptions  Resource-building guide  Program brochure  Release of Information  Participant Information Record Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Readiness Checklist (cont’d)

 Be open to learning from the mentoring experience  Gather feedback from both mentors and participants on what is working, what is not, what is most relevant to the their needs  Share what you have learned with other Vincentians  Collaboration website is planned Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change Final Thoughts

END POVERTY THROUGH SYSTEMIC CHANGE OUR VISION Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change …. One Person One Neighborhood One Community at a time