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Home > BE A MENTOR > National Mentoring Month > Meet the Mentors & Mentees >

Mentors-Mentee Profiles

MENTOR defines the six most common settings of mentoring as those taking place in schools, faith-based organizations, workplace, within the community, online, or on the premises of an agency in the community. Each mentoring program is different. So are the locations and settings within which a mentoring relationship can develop.

Mentors and young people may find that their relationship begins by participating in a variety of activities. Depending on the type of mentoring program — and the program's rules and regulations — a mentoring pair may go to the park or a museum, participate in sports or some other activity where they can get to know each other better. Mentors and mentees might also meet at the child's school once a week where they might talk, play games or work on schoolwork together. Regardless of the type of setting where matches meet, both the mentor and mentee should have input into what types of activities they do together.

Read profiles of relationships and real-life stories in each of the settings below.

School-based mentoring takes place at a mentee’s school (elementary, middle or high school), either during the school hours or immediately after school. Matches meet on school grounds, in full view of program staff. Mentors and mentees often have a designated meeting place within the building and/or use of school facilities to meet. The types of match activities in this setting may include tutoring, working on homework, playing sports and/or games. Typically, this type of mentoring asks the mentor for a commitment of at least one school year.

Faith-based mentoring takes place in, or is sponsored by, a house of worship and often reflects the values and beliefs of that religion. Matches meet during the after school hours or on weekends both on the premises and off. Match activities may include faith education, career exploration, life skills development, playing games and going to sporting, entertainment or cultural events. The match commitment required by the mentors and mentees varies.

Workplace mentoring takes place at the work site and can include job shadowing, career exploration, role playing and tutoring. Typically, this type of mentoring asks the mentor for a commitment of at least one school year.

Community-based mentoring takes place anywhere in the community. Match activities may include attending events, going to museums, cultural or sporting events, restaurants, etc. Typically, this type of mentoring asks the mentor for a commitment of at least one year.

Online or e-mentoring takes place via the Internet —is a mentoring relationship that is conducted via the Internet. This type of mentoring can be combined with other types of mentoring but can also be a self-contained mentoring program. E-mentoring makes mentoring benefits available to young people who otherwise might not be able to meet easily with their mentor. The activities can help young people learn more about communicating online and improve their writing skills. The match commitment required by the mentors and mentees varies, but it is often for the duration of the school year.

Agency-based mentoring takes place at an agency, typically as part of an after-school program, Boys and Girls Club, etc. Match activities may include tutoring, career exploration, life skills development, game playing and other onsite events. Typically, this type of mentoring asks the mentor for a commitment of at least one year.