DreamsAfrica

Be A Mentor

Mentor Application

Thank you for your interest in The DreamsAfrica Mentoring Program! Applications are currently being processed. To volunteer, you will be expected to complete our training and screening before you will be enrolled as a mentor. This helps to ensure DreamsAfrica mentoring quality standards and to help you appreciate the vision, mission, values and scope of our work.
Please note that although The DreamsAfrica Mentoring Program is a national program, at this time we can only accept online applications from mentors in Accra.
Please email DREAMSAFRICARECRUITMENT@GMAIL.COM if you are interested in volunteering in any other region of Ghana.

Model

One-to-one mentoring (Site based)

Here, a meeting is arranged between Mentors and mentees in a supervised environment at a set time and location. Each mentor is matched with a mentee. Mentors commit to mentoring each academic year for 6 -- 8 hours per Month. Sessions take place at our chosen site or location (Campus); for purposes of safety and security of our mentees, individual off-site activities are not permitted unless otherwise coordinated by DreamsAfrica. Meetings are arranged in an environment where other mentoring activities are taking place

Supervision of Sessions

A site or location (Campus) supervisor is present at all mentoring sessions. The site or location (Campus) supervisor represents DreamsAfrica. As your main level of support, the site or location supervisor is available as a resource and to facilitate activities at sessions.

Applicant Prerequisites

To Mentor a Tertiary Level student, the applicant MUST be 26 years of age or older.
To Mentor a Junior High School Student, the applicant MUST be 18 years of age or older.
The applicant MUST make a one-year commitment to mentor a youth for 6--8 hours each month.
The applicant MUST pass a detailed background check conducted by DreamsAfrica.

Application Process

Submit an application

Attend and participate in The DreamsAfrica Mentoring New Mentor orientation and training

Complete Screening and Detailed Background Check

Provide a resume with 2 persons and 2 professional references and

Undergo a panel interview.

Training

The DreamsAfrica Mentoring Program has an in-depth Mentor Training program. Volunteers learn about best practices in mentoring, including:

-Effective Mentoring
-The role of a mentor
-The DreamsAfrica Curricular and Mentoring Model
-The different spheres of Influence
-Building authentic relationships with mentees
-Leadership and effective communication.

Mentors are taught the procedure and protocols for handling red flag issues. Boundaries and limits for the mentoring relationship are defined and communicated to prospective mentors.

The primary goal of the orientation and training is to adequately prepare mentors to effectively engage the mentees for maximum impact. Mentors that are signed up are comprehensively prepared with the rules and regulations governing their volunteer commitment to The DreamsAfrica Mentoring program. The training is interactive and participants will engage in activities such as role plays and small group discussions.

This training is REQUIRED to begin mentoring and it is available ONLY for prospective mentors that have submitted an application.

Screening

DreamsAfrica screens prospective mentors by:
-Reviewing The DreamsAfrica Mentoring applications.
-Fingerprinting all prospective mentors in order to conduct a detailed background check.
-Requesting two personal and two professional references on all applications.
-A panel interview.
-Attending an 8 hours training session within a Month.

Background Check

Your name and fingerprints will be sent to the Criminal Justice Services and the National Security for a nationwide criminal background check. The background check can take anywhere from 24 hours to a few weeks.

Program Description

To create sustained and supportive mentor relationships for the young people in need ages 12—35.

The program matches youth across the country with inspirational adult mentors who can guide them in developing better self-esteem, creating healthy relationships, and making positive life choices. Many youths enter the program experiencing varying levels of educational difficulties or social challenges.

Studies show that young people who succeed despite enormous personal, economic or social obstacles often times do so because of the presence of committed and competent role models who believe in them.

The DreamsAfrica Mentoring Model

Through the DreamsAfrica Mentoring Campus- based model, mentors and mentees meet in a supervised environment at a set time on campus –

Though one-on-one, where one mentor is assigned to one mentee, the model is regulated to help volunteer mentors manage their schedules for consistency. The Campus-based model allows the mentoring to be done in the presence of other mentors and mentees. This provides a sense of security for these mentees of which some are yet developing their confidence and assertiveness.

Mentors who are signed onto the program commit to mentoring for an academic year 8 hours per month; although there is room for continuity of the mentoring relationship for the 3 or 4 years’ academic period depending on the outcomes of the assessments.

The DreamsAfrica Mentoring programs are incubated in tertiary campuses, partnering junior High schools, and selected communities within the regions of Ghana (to be extended to other African countries). All Campus-based programs are supported by The DreamsAfrica Mentoring Programs Strategist who work directly with Lead Campus Coordinators to ensure the smooth running of the programs.

These Lead Campus Coordinators work together to build a conducive environment, provide resources, support systems, safety nets and training for all volunteers. The DreamsAfrica Mentoring programs incorporate a number of initiatives that helps to meet the mentee’s individual needs.

Mentors also help their mentees with career development, public speaking skills development, academic goals setting and play games that encourage socialization and Leadership.

Target Populations

Youth in pursuit of Mentors:
Ambitious youth who believe in the principles and concept of mentorship for personal growth and leadership development.

Youth with special Parental needs (Absentee Parents):
General Mentoring, Students living with single parents, Students with Divorced parents, Students.

Youth in students’ Leadership (High Potential Leaders):
DreamsAfrica works with student organizations and youth groups to identify outstanding students who show leadership potential and capacity to lead beyond the campus. This innovative mentoring program provides these young men and women with one-to-one mentoring support to actualize their potential.

Youth in Community Service and Pioneers of Mentoring Organization:
Individuals who want to start mentoring organizations or believe they are called to provide guidance, counselling and mentorship to specific groups of people.

Program Component

The DreamsAfrica framework and mentoring guide provides Mentors the opportunity to develop a relationship of trust with mentees. Activities and scope of the mentoring includes but are not limited to Goal setting, weekly revision and evaluation of goals and milestones achieved, career development goals, mentoring activities and games

WHAT WE DO: We customize mentoring programs for schools, educators, corporations and students, and we customize parental coaching programs for parents.

Our Programs

The DreamsAfrica Mentoring Programs that are campus-based

Supporters and Partners

DreamsAfrica deeply appreciates our partners and donors. Their compassionate contributions and support go a long way to help youth enrolled on the mentoring program to experience love, care and inspiration to pursue their God given purpose. This singular acts of love significantly impact the lives of the youth to become successful in their academic life and in the pursuit of their career paths and purpose. You make the power of mentoring real and possible.

Community Projects

The program also has a service component that brings mentoring pairs together to make a difference in their communities.

Mentees work with their mentors on homework assignments, life skills, community service, and career development. Mentoring Program Strategist and Lead Campus Coordinators (from DreamsAfrica) supervise the program and create educational and community service activities which foster and support the mentoring relationships. Young people and mentors receive ongoing training and support from the DreamsAfrica Program Manager.

Recruitment from Organizations..

Recruitment from Organizations/Workplaces: How The Program Works

Step 1

DreamsAfrica arranges a volunteer orientation to discuss the program’s details with prospective mentors. Professionals interested in the program complete an application and sign up for training.

Step 2

Volunteers attend comprehensive trainings. These trainings are mandatory. All mentors are screened using a criminal check and references.

Step 3

Once training and screening have been completed, DreamsAfrica matches mentors and kicks off the program! The Kick-off Party is the first event to begin the program at the corporation, school, or community site. Mentors and mentees meet for the first time at the Kick-off Party. (On Campus)

Step 4

Mentor/mentee pairs continue to meet throughout the academic year at the designated site for a total of 6 - 8 hours per month. In the beginning, group games are introduced for mentees and mentors to get to know each other better.

Benefit To Mentor

-Helps them to better connect with their own children

-There is a sense of fulfilment in helping transform the life of a youth

-Helps them to better understand the youth culture

-A way of reconnecting with self and their sense of purpose

Professional Membership Form

Ideal for Coaches, Mentors, Pioneers of Mentoring organisations, educators, Talent Developers, and consultants. DreamsAfrica platform connects you with a vast network of leaders and mentors while giving access to human resources, mentoring tools, and discounts.