Mentorship

Mentors are the heart and soul of City of Dreams.

City of Dreams is built on the concept of positive adult presence–a presence that contributes to the fight against marginalization and delegitimization of Black and BIPOC youth. Our mentors support our youth in achieving their personal and academic goals through 1:1 and group mentorship.

Young adults who face an opportunity gap but have a mentor are 55% more likely to be enrolled in college than those who did not have a mentor.

— The Mentoring Effect, 2014

Why Become a Mentor?

Now more than ever, the youth of Bayview need a positive adult presence to help guide them through their day-to-day challenges. Mentoring guarantees young people that there is someone who cares about them. It assures them that they do not have to face obstacles alone. Quality mentorship has a powerful positive effect on youth by giving them the confidence to build personal, academic, and professional skills.

Becoming a mentor allows adults to build a meaningful connection with youth– watching them grow up and reach their goals can be rewarding. Being a mentor can also enhance leadership and management skills while providing an empowering opportunity to make a difference in their community.

Become a Mentor

Youth with a mentor are:

55% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school
78% more likely to volunteer regularly
90% are interested in becoming a mentor
130% more likely to hold leadership positions

Source: mentoring.org

Benefits of Mentoring for Mentors.

Being a City of Dreams mentor, you gain a new understanding of Bayview youth and the difficulties they face in an isolated neighborhood. You’ll gain a new perspective on the generational trauma they face and how it can follow them into adulthood. This perspective creates a stronger desire for mentors to make a change in Bayview youth.
Some mentors are parents, but most are not. Being a mentor helps adults grasp a deeper understanding of children, which can result in an improved relationship with their own children. Mentors also learn how to respect youths’ boundaries, build trust, and form long-lasting relationships.
Many mentors have reported a sense of personal fulfillment from watching their mentees grow and reach their goals as a result of their guidance. Mentoring allows adults to give something of themselves in a way that’s both selfless and deeply fulfilling.
We have a small community of mentors who meet quarterly to connect and share stories about their experiences with their mentees. This builds a bond between mentors with a common goal of making a difference in youth’s lives.

Benefits of Mentoring for Mentees.

Building a meaningful connection with a mentor can help a mentee set healthy boundaries with adults while improving communication and interpersonal skills.
Many kids struggle to maintain healthy self-esteem and feel confident about themselves. A good mentoring relationship can help them see themselves accurately and recognize their strengths and accomplishments.
Research shows that youth with mentors are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol later in life. A caring relationship with an adult can help youth make healthier life choices.
Having a caring mentor helps a youth focus and maintain good grades, resulting in a higher graduation and college enrollment rate.

Source: The Blue Heart Foundation

What our youth have to say about their mentors:

Blanca

“My mentor is very smart and cute. Thank you Ashley!”
Saniya

“My mentor (Julia) is nice. She’s fun and she’s funny. Thanks for hanging out with me.”
Victor

“I am thankful that my mentor (Ben) cares about me and spends time with me.”
Damarianna

“I love my mentor Ali because she takes me out to try new things.”