1. Girl Power! A Gender Specific Group Mentoring Program
Dr. Cindy Ann Smith
Dar Al Hekma University, Jeddah Saudi Arabia

2. Overview: Where are we going today?
Developmental Level of Mentees
Activities
College Women as Mentors
Training for Mentors

3. Young Girls & Generational Poverty
Characteristics:
10 to 12 years of age, pre adolescence.
May feel awkward, unsure.
Wants to be independent, time with friends, but still needs “safe base”.
Egocentrically focused, impulsive.
Vulnerable to influence whether positive or negative.

4. Young Girls & Generational Poverty
Understand that their frame of reference may be different than yours due to:
Culture
Poverty
Family structure
Life experiences

5. Recruiting and screening mentors (MENTOR, 2009)
Fully understand level of commitment and time required
Written application
Face to face Interview
Initial orientation/training
Must be willing to say “thanks, but no thanks” at any point in this process.

6. Training (MENTOR, 2009)
Different mentors= different levels of support needed
Level of perceived support is important
College students need ongoing, weekly support.
Need to understand developmental level, goals of program, meaning of being a “role model”.

7. Matching (MENTOR, 2009) Naturalistic matches Allow matches to develop
Allow mentors and mentees to choose
Forever mentor and today mentor

8. Monitoring and Support (MENTOR, 2009)
Important to have one person who is overall responsible.
Remember that you are a mandated reporter.
Top priority-safety of all (physical and emotional).

9. Closure (MENTOR, 2009) Life is change.
Change is not necessarily good or bad- just change.
End of year ceremony can help to communicate this.
Closure is important for mentors as well as mentees.

10. Activities Focus on: Examples: Relationship development Fun
Meaningful interactions
Examples:
Journaling
Crafts
Games

11. References
MENTOR. (2009). Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring 3rd Ed. Alexandria: Mentor.