April 2021
This April and Beyond, Elevate Youth Voices!
This April and beyond, MENTOR Virginia is elevating the voices and power of youth who are the very foundation and heart of mentoring relationships. Below, join us in uplifting young people by supporting a youth-led research project, reading a college student's mentoring story, or listening to youth from C4K share their thoughts about mentoring.
Elizabeth Celentano, a senior at Maggie Walker, has launched two surveys in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters to strengthen mentor recruitment. Her goal is to help more youth (especially boys of color) get off the waiting list and be matched with a mentor.
For Sarah Miller, a nursing student in Germanna Community College's Great Expectations program, mentoring has played a critical role in her college experience. As both a mentee and a peer mentor, Sarah's story is a testament to the power of mentoring!
C4K believes that young people are our future leaders and it’s essential to give them opportunities to share what’s important to them. Check out what a few of their youth members wanted to say about mentoring in honor of Youth Voice Month!
2020 Impact Report
We all endured a shared experience in 2020. Collectively, we learned about new ways of doing things, new solutions to new problems, and new things to be thankful for. Our goals, each and every day, have been to ensure young people have the support of caring mentors and that mentors hear the voices of young people.

To our partners, donors, supporters, and advocates...we are humbled. Thanks to you, MENTOR Virginia emerged from 2020 with enormous gratitude and an aspiration to empower, elevate, and encourage all young people across the Commonwealth.
Free Workshop: Supporting Mentee Mental Health
In this 1.5 hour workshop, learn how to use a healing lens to help mentees transition to in-person learning in the fall. This past year has brought many challenges to our young people including economic instability, remote learning, and racial unrest. As caring adults supporting our young people, we will need to be prepared using a trauma-informed approach to guide them with the transition. After this workshop, participants will be able to identity and respond to challenges that young people may face during the transition back to in-person learning.
Opportunities with MENTOR Virginia
The Consultant is responsible for planning, designing, and developing the highest quality content that aligns with MENTOR Virginia’s training goals. Apply to or share this opportunity with your network!
We are looking for community leaders with a passion for mentoring and a desire to grow the mentoring movement! Our Board is integral to fostering quality mentoring relationships that empower young people across Virginia.
MENTOR Virginia's Day of Well-being
On April 18, MENTOR Virginia hosted a virtual Day of Well-being that provided 8 yoga and mindfulness sessions for all ages and abilities. Mindfulness is one of the best tools we have to take care of ourselves—and each other.

Thank you to BaresSOUL Yoga for partnering on MENTOR Virginia's Day of Well-being, and thank you to premier sponsor Dominion Energy!
Take some time to watch this great panel discussion with Michelle Lee Landon from One Drop Yoga and Joy Rush from Yoga Joy on how mindfulness can be incorporated into everyday life and how young people benefit from the practice.
Take the Workplace Equity Pledge
We know the impact of career mentoring can be life-changing for a young person. That’s why MENTOR and American Student Assistance (ASA) are teaming up to introduce the Workplace Equity Pledge. The pledge aims to promote equity in the workplace by inspiring action—and to do this, we need your help!

By taking the pledge, you can help ensure every young person has the opportunity to pursue their passions and discover a meaningful career. And with a variety of ways to participate, you can choose what works best for you—from watching a training video to becoming a mentor in your community.