Invest in her journey.

Become A Mentor!

GirlForward is seeking dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers for our Mentoring Program,

which matches women mentors with girls resettled through the refugee resettlement program.

As a mentor, you will be paired with a mentee in grades 9-12 and will meet with her for

at least two hours per week to talk about school, relationships, and careers, and to do fun

and engaging activities together. As a mentor, you will make a one-year commitment

to GirlForward and will receive trainings to prepare you for this role.

 

Applications for 2024-2025

school year are officially OPEN!

Don’t Wait! Submit your Application today.

Priority Deadline: May 10th (Austin) and May 14th (Chicago)

 

  • - Must identify as female

    - Must be at least 21 years old

    - Must have access to reliable transportation (public transit/car)

    - Experience working with youth, tutoring, or mentoring preferred

    - Fluency in English, knowledge of additional languages including Arabic, Pashto, Burmese and others highly preferred

    - Must have a strong commitment to social justice and community engagement.

    - Must believe in the practice of cultural humility and critically analyze their own identity, culture, power, and belief system in relation to the community and are comfortable talking about issues such as race, religion, culture, socioeconomic status, etc.

    - Must believe in the power of adolescent girls to create positive change in their communities and the world!

    - Women who identify as immigrants, refugees and/or women of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

  • - Commit to 1:1 mentoring a high school girl for at least two hours per week for one year

    - Meet with mentee to discuss subjects related to GirlForward’s Four W’s: Wellness, Wisdom, Wallet, World, as part of GirlForward’s Mentoring Program curriculum

    - Must be an ally to GF girls and comfortable talking about issues such as race, religion, culture, socioeconomic status, academics, health, relationships, community engagement and others

    - Set and work toward achieving goals with mentee

    - Attend group mentoring trainings

    - Communicate with mentee’s family and community

    - Maintain communication with GirlForward staff

    - Complete monthly mentor evaluations

    - Be an active member of the GirlForward community

  • 1. Self-Guided Mentor Information Session + Application.

    2. Mentor Interviews, Background Checks, References. If your application is accepted, you will be contacted by GirlForward staff to schedule a one hour virtual interview with GirlForward. Applicants that are accepted post interview are invited to complete a background check (cost is approximately $30) and submit 3 personal or professional references.

    3. Mentor Decisions. Applicants who have been approved (application, interview, background check, and reference check), will be invited to volunteer as a mentor with GirlForward for the 2024-2025 school year. All mentors will be notified of acceptance to our Mentoring Program by June 30th.

    4. Mentor Training.

    5. Mentorship Orientation and Mentee Matching.

    6. Home Visits with Mentor, Mentee, Family, and Program Manager.

 
 

Mentor in Chicago

Mentor in Austin

Follow these steps to become a mentor!

  1. Watch the info session here

  2. Submit your application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

    • Link to the application is provided after you watch the information session!

Read our Idealist post and share with your networks here.

Questions about the Chicago program?

E-mail Ira Jeanne at iraj@girlforward.org.

May 14th - Priority Applications Due
May 22nd-June 24th -Virtual Interview
June 17th- July 5th - Notification of Acceptance
June 24-July 8th- Self-Guided Online Training
July 13th - In-Person Training
August 3rd - Orientation and Match Meeting

Follow these steps to become a mentor!

  1. Watch the info session here

  2. Submit your application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

    • Link to the application is provided after you watch the information session!

Read our Idealist post and share with your networks here.

Questions about the Austin program?

E-mail Becky at beckya@girlforward.org

May 10th - Priority Applications Due
May 6th-June 19th - Virtual Interview
June 21st - July 26th - Notification of Acceptance
June 24th - July 19th - Self-Guided Online Training
July 20th - In-Person Training
August 10th - Orientation and Match Meeting

 

Meet our Mentors!

 
 

LAURA, MENTOR FOR 3 YEARS

“Becoming a mentor at GirlForward has been a great experience. I have created a wonderful bond with my mentee. Throughout the mentorship program, we learned a lot about each other’s cultures, traditions, and languages. Seeing my mentee grow has been rewarding because I had the opportunity to see her shine and accomplish her goals and dreams. It makes me happy to continue seeing her succeed throughout her journey.”

 

LARONDA, MENTOR FOR 2 YEARS

“My mentee has been great! I have watched her become a leader that’s so involved in her community, and I listen to her excitedly share her goals and big ideas. I am amazed every time by how talented, intelligent, and advanced she is at that age, which is the most rewarding part of my experience.

GirlForward’s mentoring program is special and impactful because it provides a home for girls with unique stories and identities. They provide resources, programs, and training necessary for the mentees and mentors to develop great relationships beyond the program. I'm glad to be a GirlForward mentor.”

 
 

Some Photos of our Mentoring Community Over the Years…