1:1 Mentoring enables youth to connect with trained staff mentors, their peers, family, and the landscape in a more individualized format. The quality of time and attention youth receive in the 1:1 Mentoring program is enhanced due to the smaller number of participants we can serve in a program of this nature. There are three main ways to connect - 1:1 Meetups, 1:1 check-in calls and texts, and Zoom Group Chats. Through these mediums, we can continue to grow trusting and supportive mentoring relationships with youth with safe and caring adults while maintaining health and safety for all.
BEAR staff are typically available for youth and their families Monday-Thursday from 8:00-4:30pm, but individual staff will let youth know of their specific availability. Any 1:1 calls or texts made to BEAR staff outside of regular hours will be responded to during the next operational day.
3 ways to connect in 1:1 Mentoring
1:1 Meetups
Youth members will meetup in-person with their BEAR mentor once per week for about an hour based on a time/day that work for both the youth and mentor. Youth are encouraged to make plans with their mentor for each meetup in advance, either working towards a goal or just having some fun together! Mentors will also come prepared with a backup activity, just in case the planned activity can't happen for some reason. Mentors can meet at the youth's home and spend time together in their yard or neighborhood, or select a meetup spot outdoors in the community where the youth can conveniently be dropped off/picked up by a parent/guardian or travel to independently (with parental permission). Mentors can also transport youth, if necessary, following the appropriate COVID-19 safety guidelines. Mentors and youth will largely remain outdoors during their meetups and wear masks when social distance is not possible. Please refer to our Health & Safety guidelines below for more information about how BEAR is adapting to the “new normal” of keeping everyone safe while participating in our programs.
1:1 Check-In Calls and Texts
BEAR staff and youth members will also connect weekly via phone call and/or text, which creates additional opportunities to check-in, share, learn, and grow together. Family members are encouraged to join in the conversations, as well.
Zoom Group Chats
When in-person meetings aren't possible, BEAR staff will facilitate a Zoom Chat to spend time with youth. Families are welcome to join in the fun too! In order for youth to participate in BEAR's Zoom Chats, they will need access to a computer, mobile device or tablet with access to the Internet. If these devices are unavailable, please let us know and we will help you gain access to a device.
Family Participation
Parents/Guardians/Caregivers are strongly encouraged to participate with their youth in the BEAR 1:1 Mentoring program. It’s just another great way to spend quality time together!
Youth members will meetup in-person with their BEAR mentor once per week for about an hour based on a time/day that work for both the youth and mentor. Youth are encouraged to make plans with their mentor for each meetup in advance, either working towards a goal or just having some fun together! Mentors will also come prepared with a backup activity, just in case the planned activity can't happen for some reason. Mentors can meet at the youth's home and spend time together in their yard or neighborhood, or select a meetup spot outdoors in the community where the youth can conveniently be dropped off/picked up by a parent/guardian or travel to independently (with parental permission). Mentors can also transport youth, if necessary, following the appropriate COVID-19 safety guidelines. Mentors and youth will largely remain outdoors during their meetups and wear masks when social distance is not possible. Please refer to our Health & Safety guidelines below for more information about how BEAR is adapting to the “new normal” of keeping everyone safe while participating in our programs.
1:1 Check-In Calls and Texts
BEAR staff and youth members will also connect weekly via phone call and/or text, which creates additional opportunities to check-in, share, learn, and grow together. Family members are encouraged to join in the conversations, as well.
Zoom Group Chats
When in-person meetings aren't possible, BEAR staff will facilitate a Zoom Chat to spend time with youth. Families are welcome to join in the fun too! In order for youth to participate in BEAR's Zoom Chats, they will need access to a computer, mobile device or tablet with access to the Internet. If these devices are unavailable, please let us know and we will help you gain access to a device.
Family Participation
Parents/Guardians/Caregivers are strongly encouraged to participate with their youth in the BEAR 1:1 Mentoring program. It’s just another great way to spend quality time together!
Cost
The typical fee for 1:1 Mentoring is $25 per week and intended to cover only a portion of the real cost associated with offering the program. However, due to the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and the financial stress so many families are experiencing at this time, BEAR will cover all fees by providing full scholarships to all 1:1 Mentoring participants.
Health & Safety Guidelines
Due to the current conditions with COVID-19, BEAR mentors, youth members, and their families must follow the guidelines listed below in order to participate in the 1:1 Meetups portion of the program: BEAR staff and youth must practice social distancing by remaining at least 6 ft apart if they do not want to wear masks. Otherwise, when social distance cannot be maintained, masks must be worn. While riding in a vehicle together, mentors and youth will wear masks and ventilate the vehicle by opening the windows. BEAR staff must have hand sanitizer handy, if needed.
All staff, participants, and family members are responsible for disclosing any symptoms of illness they may be experiencing prior to meeting with BEAR staff for 1:1 Meetups.
BEAR staff will NOT conduct explicit pre-shift or pre-programming health assessments. It is the responsibility of the individual participant/family to take action and disclose if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- fever over 100.4° Fahrenheit
- cough - shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- sore throat
- chills or repeated shaking with chills
- unexplained muscle pain
- new loss of taste or smell
- vomiting - diarrhea
Staff, participants or family members experiencing any of the above symptoms must be excluded from in-person work and attending programming until they have been symptom-free for 14 days (staff are expected to telework from home if their symptoms do not prohibit them from working generally). We understand that this is more conservative than guidelines found elsewhere, but is intended to provide the safest environment for everyone. In addition, any staff with symptoms should be tested for COVID-19.
Identifying information for those who are excluded from work or programming due to reported symptoms or illness will be recorded in a confidential document and attached to participant registration information or employee files, including their name, phone number, symptoms, and the date the symptoms were reported in order to track who needs to refrain from attending work/programming and the date upon which they are able to return. The County Public Health Dept will be consulted if staff are in need of additional guidance on a case by case basis.
Click here to read our full COVID-19 Guidelines.
All staff, participants, and family members are responsible for disclosing any symptoms of illness they may be experiencing prior to meeting with BEAR staff for 1:1 Meetups.
BEAR staff will NOT conduct explicit pre-shift or pre-programming health assessments. It is the responsibility of the individual participant/family to take action and disclose if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- fever over 100.4° Fahrenheit
- cough - shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- sore throat
- chills or repeated shaking with chills
- unexplained muscle pain
- new loss of taste or smell
- vomiting - diarrhea
Staff, participants or family members experiencing any of the above symptoms must be excluded from in-person work and attending programming until they have been symptom-free for 14 days (staff are expected to telework from home if their symptoms do not prohibit them from working generally). We understand that this is more conservative than guidelines found elsewhere, but is intended to provide the safest environment for everyone. In addition, any staff with symptoms should be tested for COVID-19.
Identifying information for those who are excluded from work or programming due to reported symptoms or illness will be recorded in a confidential document and attached to participant registration information or employee files, including their name, phone number, symptoms, and the date the symptoms were reported in order to track who needs to refrain from attending work/programming and the date upon which they are able to return. The County Public Health Dept will be consulted if staff are in need of additional guidance on a case by case basis.
Click here to read our full COVID-19 Guidelines.
Ready to join?
To register, call Caity Johnson at 406-209-9901 or email caity.johnson@bearmt.org
updated 4.29.21