Mentoring Movement Agents of Change Highlight: MENTOR Washington
September 19, 2023
As the Executive Director of MENTOR Washington, I am proud to be part of an organization dedicated to empowering our youth through mentorship. Today, I want to share the significance of advocating for this crucial cause in state politics. Together, we can remove barriers and support young people as they navigate the path ahead.
We have long standing public-private partnerships with Washington State agencies including the Department of Children, Youth & Families (child welfare), Office of the Superintendent & Public Instruction (education), Department of Licensing and the Healthcare Authority. My hope is that you can find some of our approaches helpful in your own advocacy efforts.
This past legislative season, MENTOR Washington advocated for increased support for mentoring in a few specific areas. We were successful in seeking funding for a pilot program to specifically mentor youth experiencing foster care. We were able to secure $750,000 for the biennium with the majority of the dollars being dedicated to direct service programs. MENTOR Washington will administer the grants and also provide intentional supports, resources and training for programs to provide thoughtful and informed mentoring specific to the needs of young people in care. We will partner with colleagues in the child welfare system as well to ensure a comprehensive approach. Our hope is that, with a successful pilot, we will be able to expand these dollars in future sessions. This increased support was a collaborative effort with five Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in Washington State – an example of building strategic partnerships. The other key factor to solidifying this pilot was having two champions – one Senator and one Representative – that were persistent and passionate.
We also saw increases to funding for the mentoring field in the areas of group mentoring for young black men and career-connected mentoring. It’s also notable that one of our new asks wasn’t funded. We asked for an increase in an existing contract to add supports for mental well-being. The mental health of young people is in crisis, and we won’t give up. We’re continuing to educate and advocate and will come back with a stronger proposal in the next session – an example of staying persistent.
Advocating for Youth Mentoring at the State Level
Advocacy is a powerful tool that enables us to amplify the impact of our cause and create systemic change. Here are some tips for advocating for youth mentoring at the state level:
1. Know Your Audience:
Before engaging with state policymakers, research their backgrounds, positions, and prior stances on youth-related issues. Tailor your messages to resonate with their interests and concerns, demonstrating how mentoring aligns with their priorities.
2. Build Strategic Partnerships:
Collaborate with other organizations and stakeholders that share similar goals. Strength lies in unity, and a collective voice can garner more attention from policymakers. Partnering with like-minded groups can also help you access additional resources and expertise. For example, MENTOR Washington works closely with the Youth Development Strategy Table, which is a group of youth development professionals advocating collectively for the field of youth development. Another example is partnering on programmatic funding levels with your state’s education, healthcare or child welfare agencies.
3. Tell Compelling Stories:
Tell compelling stories about the positive impact of youth mentoring. Use data and real-life examples to illustrate how mentoring makes a difference in the lives of young people and communities. Humanizing the issue helps create an emotional connection and reinforces the importance of supporting mentoring programs. Youth have stepped forward in powerful ways over the last few years and are interested in engaging in advocacy work. And who better to tell the stories of mentoring’s impact than young people themselves? Encourage them to participate in a way that’s comfortable for them, train them on advocacy work and compensate them for their time.
4. Utilize Social Media and Digital Platforms:
Social media is a powerful tool for advocacy in the digital age. Engage with policymakers and influencers on platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. Share success stories, infographics, and relevant articles to raise awareness and mobilize support. Send similar information to legislators via email – don’t just email them when you have an “ask.”
5. Engage in Grassroots Advocacy:
Involve the community in collective advocacy efforts. Organize events, workshops, and town halls to educate the public about the impact of youth mentoring and how they can get involved. Encourage community members to reach out to their local representatives to voice their support.
6. Meet with Legislators:
Arrange meetings with state legislators to discuss the benefits of youth mentoring and advocate for increased funding or policies supporting mentoring programs. Keep the conversation focused on how mentoring aligns with their constituents’ needs and can lead to positive outcomes for the state. Meetings during legislative sessions are often 15 minutes or less. Do those meetings often, but make sure you’re meeting in the off-season when meetings can be longer. Bringing a legislator to visit a mentoring program in their district is even more impactful!
7. Find a Champion:
Finding one or two legislators to be your champion, both Senators and Representatives, is critical! When it comes to cut off dates and final negotiations, you want folks who are passionate about mentoring that will go to bat for your policies or funding requests. It’s also important to build strong relationships with other staff and advisors such as those within the Governor’s office!
8. Follow Up, Follow Through and Stay Persistent:
Advocacy is an ongoing process. After meeting with policymakers, follow up with thank-you notes and updates on the progress of mentoring programs. Stay persistent and continue building relationships to keep youth mentoring at the forefront of their minds. Finally, do what you say you’re going to do. Advocacy is a long-term process and trust is easier to build when you deliver results.
Youth mentoring is a crucial element of building a brighter future for young people. By advocating for mentoring in state politics, we can create systemic change and ensure that every young person in our states have the support they need to succeed.
Remember, change starts with you—let’s make an impact together!
About the Author:
Jolynn Kenney is the Executive Director of MENTOR Washington, a passionate advocate for youth mentoring, and a firm believer in the power of supportive relationships. With years of experience in the mentoring sector, Jolynn is dedicated to creating positive change for youth through advocacy and community engagement. She envisions a world where every young person thrives.