Mentor

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mentor supports youth involved with the Division by developing relationships that promote positive family and peer relationships, personal development, and sound decision-making. The role provides emotional, social, and practical support within appropriate limits and helps mentees resolve current issues and develop coping strategies for the future. Mentors model healthy, trusting relationships through clear communication and appropriate boundaries; recognize and encourage mentees’ strengths, talents, and gifts; and listen actively while offering support and encouragement. The position involves engaging youth in activities outside the home to introduce them to new opportunities and experiences, supporting academic tasks and homework, and increasing opportunities for career awareness and networking. Mentors maintain participant confidentiality and communicate as needed with participants, tutors, instructors, and families. The role represents The Salvation Army and adheres to its policies and procedures while supporting the mission of the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center. The position is based at the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Chicago. The work environment includes a classroom with low to moderate noise. The position requires light to moderate physical work, regular use of equipment used in an instructional program, and occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds. Required apparel is casual.

Requirements

At least 1 year of experience working as a mentor.
Experience in a computer-based work environment and excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Word.
Service-oriented interpersonal style that anticipates and responds to clients’ needs.
Communication and management style that reflects The Salvation Army’s principles and values, fosters team relationships, and effectively communicates information.
Strong integrity and ability to work with confidential material.
Hands-on knowledge of working effectively with diversity in the workplace.
Strong organization and time-management skills, with the ability to maintain boundaries between work and personal life.
Ability to work with clients who have poor social skills, mental illness, or substance abuse problems.
Ability to perform light to moderate physical work, regularly use instructional-program equipment, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop relationships with youth that promote positive family and peer relationships, development, and decision-making.
Empower mentees to resolve current issues and develop coping strategies for the future.
Model healthy, trusting relationships through clear communication and appropriate boundaries.
Recognize mentees’ strengths, talents, and gifts and encourage them to use them.
Listen actively and offer support and encouragement when appropriate.
Engage in activities outside the home to expose youth to new opportunities and experiences.
Maintain participant confidentiality.
Communicate clearly with participants, tutors, instructors, and families as needed.
Support mentees with academic tasks and homework.
Increase opportunities for career awareness and networking.
Provide emotional, social, and practical support within appropriate limits.
Maintain awareness of personal boundaries and set limits with others.
Represent The Salvation Army accurately, keep the RYD Coordinator informed of critical issues, and follow Army policies and procedures.