Mentorship Matters: Introducing MENTOR’s Youth Track
October 28, 2024
The inaugural MENTOR Youth Track is debuting at the 2025 National Mentoring Summit In January. This new MENTOR initiative provides a chance for young people (ages 18-22) to build meaningful connections with caring adults for personal and professional growth.
Recently our Director of Communications Kelsey Nelson sat down with Makayla Dawkins, MPH of the Youth Collaboratory, a MENTOR partner, to discuss the youth role within the growing mentoring movement MENTOR is leading to increase the quality and quantity of mentoring relationships.
Today, Makayla is helping to guide MENTOR’s work in the youth development sphere as a member of the Youth Track planning committee helping MENTOR to engage with more young people leading up to the National Mentoring Summit.
How does the MENTOR Youth Track foster a sense of unity amongst young people?
Serving on MENTOR’s Youth Track planning committee has deepened my understanding of the collective commitment we share to enhance the experiences of our young people. Each member brings a genuine concern for the details that matter. We are dedicated to crafting workshops that are intentionally designed to encompass various aspects of mentorship and holistic youth advocacy. This collaborative effort has not only strengthened our unity but has also ensured that every young person feels valued and heard.
What was the inspiration behind creating the MENTOR Youth Track?
My journey with MENTOR began when I served as a presenter at last year’s National Mentoring Summit. During that experience, I attended several workshops but felt that I wasn’t fully represented. This lack of reflection in the programming inspired me to take action. My goal in participating on the planning committee is to create a space that truly reflects the voices and experiences of young people and future mentors, allowing us to build something meaningful for ourselves.
Why is youth voice critical for the mentoring movement?
Youth voice is essential because we are the leaders of tomorrow. Engaging young people in conversations about the future of mentorship ensures that all programs and initiatives created are relevant and impactful. It empowers us to shape mentorship to meet our unique needs and aspirations, ultimately driving the movement forward.
How does mentorship play a role in a young person’s life?
Having experienced “elder daughter syndrome,” where I often acted as a role model for my younger siblings, I know the weight of bearing those responsibilities. Mentorship has provided me with a different kind of guidance, akin to having an older sibling. My mentors have assisted me through tutoring and research apprenticeships. They have been instrumental in helping me explore my career options and navigate important life decisions.
Why is access to a mentor important? What opportunity does mentorship provide?
Access to a mentor can be transformative. Growing up, I longed to belong and to engage with adults in specific career paths. My first mentor helped me find direction and offered me invaluable tools assisting me and providing guidance on college applications and helping me to find scholarship opportunities. Through my mentor’s example, I learned to map out my collegiate journey by taking pieces of her story and adapting them to my own. Mentorship provides not just guidance but also the confidence to pursue our dreams.
Why is it important to give mentors and mentees their flowers?
Living a gratitude centered life involves expressing appreciation to mentors, instructors, and friends. Recognizing and acknowledging their contributions big or small can have a profound impact. It’s a simple yet powerful way to show kindness and validate the support we receive. I learned this lesson from my mentor. As a way to do this, writing thank-you cards can be a meaningful gesture that reminds others they are valued and appreciated. You would be surprised how many people go unrecognized for their efforts.
About the author: Makayla Dawkins is a 2023 graduate of the University of Connecticut Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies undergraduate program.
If you are interested in learning more about MENTOR’s Youth Track, please contact Training Delivery Manager Jake Sullivan at jsullivan@mentoring.org.