What Is A Youth Mentor?

Let’s start with a definition: a youth mentor is a caring adult who kids can rely on for guidance and support to get where they want to go in life.

Guidance from a mentor can help girls flourish in male-dominated STEM spaces, give young artists and creators more exposure, help kids talk through how to handle bullying and amplify young voices on issues they care about — just to name a few possibilities.

Mentors also go beyond role models, who may be a kid’s favorite celebrity or influencer, by spending time getting to know youth on a personal level. However, an effective youth mentor does more than share their own success story; they help young people discover what being successful means to them and what it will take to achieve it.

Step 1: Safety

At BGCSV, the safety and well-being of our youth is our top priority. As mentors, we ask that you engage with the girls in a way that maintains a safe and positive environment.

For the protection of both mentors and mentees, personal and private information such as social media handles, phone numbers, and email addresses may not be exchanged with the girls. If you feel a special connection or are inspired by your experience with our organization, we encourage you to reach out to a staff member. They will be happy to guide you to someone who can share more about ongoing mentorship opportunities with your mentee or future volunteer opportunities with the Club!

Additionally, please note that if a mentee needs to use the restroom during the event, they must be accompanied by a member of BGCSV staff, not by mentors. Adult mentors and youth mentees will also have separate bathrooms for use on site.

Your Mentoring Mindset

For kids and teens who are still developing their self-confidence, having adults who believe in them can make all the difference. While mentors can’t solve all of young people’s problems, having someone who can help kids learn about themselves and the world around them is more than enough.

• Be Engaged: Your genuine interaction is the most powerful part of this event.
• Be a Role Model, Not a Perfection Model: You don’t need to have all the answers or a perfect life story. Share your real journey, including the challenges, the surprises, and the lessons learned. Authenticity is more impactful than a flawless narrative.
• Listen Actively: Show you are listening with eye contact, nodding, and asking follow-up questions. This can help your mentee feel heard and valued.
• Create a Safe Space: This is a time for dreaming without judgment. Ensure all ideas are met with positivity and curiosity.

Connecting 1:1

1. Get Acquainted

• Introduce yourself first. Share your name and one real thing about you, not just your job title.
• Learn more about your mentee: name, grade, school, activities. You can share an easy opener. “What are you hoping for today?” or “What are you looking forward to?” If she seems nervous, try: “What do you feel unsure about?” Naming where she’s at helps you know how to support her.
• Let them set the pace. Some girls will be chatty right away; others need a minute to warm up.

2. Be Present

• Your job isn’t to fix, direct, or have the answers. It’s to listen, ask, and trust that she already has more inside her than she realizes.
• Ask more than you tell. If you catch yourself trying to explain or solve, turn it into a question instead.
• Reflect back what you hear. “It sounds like ___ matters to you” shows you’re listening, and often helps her hear herself more clearly.
• Let silence sit. Count to five in your head before you jump in. Her best answer often comes after the pause.
• If she shares something vulnerable, “Thank you for telling me that” goes further than advice.

The Activities

Now that you know the basics of youth mentorship, now it’s time to learn a little more about the activities you will be helping facilitate at International Day of the Girl. Every mentee picks one of two activities to complete with your guidance during the event: My Dream Life and My Goals Bingo. You don’t need to prep beyond knowing instructions for each activity so you can help.

My Dream Life

This interactive vision board activity guides mentees through exploring their goals, identifying their strengths, and visualizing their future. Mentees will map out their aspirations spanning career, education, personal growth, or creative passions, and bring them to life on a poster board using images, quotes, and drawings.

My Dream Life Full Instructions | My Dream Life Worksheet

My Goals Bingo

My Goals Bingo card is a fun, creative, and interactive alternative to a vision board that helps mentees set and track their goals for the future. Unlike traditional vision boards, a bingo card uses a grid format that breaks large aspirations into multiple smaller, easy achievements. This approach can make goals feel more achievable for some mentees and help them stay motivated throughout their journey.

My Goals Bingo Full Instructions | My Goals Bingo Worksheet

Encourage Positivity: 

• Use phrases like “Have you ever thought about…” or “What if you could…”. If a girl says, “I’m not good at drawing,” reassure her that this is about ideas, not art. She can use words, cut out pictures from magazines, or use symbols.

Connect Passions to Possibilities:

• “You love [art/music/social media]. Did you know there are careers like [Graphic Designer, Music Therapist, Social Media Manager] for that?”
• “You said you like helping people. Let’s brainstorm jobs that focus on that. What about a doctor, a social worker, a teacher, a human resources specialist, or a lawyer?”
• “If you’re interested in [Your Field], there are so many different jobs within it. For example, at my company, we have people who write, people who design, people who analyze numbers, and people who manage projects.”
• “What kind of education interests to you? A four-year college, a community college, a trade school, or learning on the job?”
• “A great way to test out a career is through an internship or a summer job. Have you thought about what kind of internship might be cool?”
• “I didn’t know what I wanted to do at first. I took a class in [Subject] and found out I loved/hated it. That’s what this time in your life is for—exploring!”

If your mentee gets stuck, you can ask a question to help:

• “What would make you proud of yourself a year from now?”
• “What’s something you’ve never said out loud before?”
• “What feels fun or exciting to you?”

When you’re wrapping up, ask instead of summarizing: “What’s one thing you’re taking with you today?” Let her find the words and celebrate her!

Whatever they choose, the goal is the same: they leave today having dreamed what is possible and said at least one true thing out loud to someone who was listening. Thank you for being that person for them!

Mentors Make a Difference

Boys & Girls Clubs provide inclusive and safe places, caring mentors, and life-enhancing programs that boost youth self-esteem, build confidence, and contribute to overall positive and healthy well-being. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest resources and stories from Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley, and learn more about how Clubs across Silicon Valley connect thousands of kids and teens with mentors.