YWCA High School Mentorship Program
Programs & Services

High School Mentorship

Back to Mentorship

The YWCA High School Mentorship program supports and empowers young cis and trans women and gender-diverse youth in Grades 11 and 12 to build pathways for their future.

Mentors support youth in their transition to further education or employment, nurture their leadership skills and address barriers they may experience along the way.

 

Apply as a mentee

Attend an information session

Want to be a mentee? Attend an information session to learn more:
Wednesday, September 29th 4:30-5:30pm, Thursday, October 14th 4:30-5:30pm.

To fully engage in the info session, you will need access to the following:

  • A laptop, computer, or smartphone
  • A webcam
  • A microphone
  • Speakers or headphones
  • Internet connection

We will be using an online video-conferencing platform and will have CART captioning services available. Please reach out to mentorship@ywcavan.org if you have any questions or accessibility needs.

 

Photo of participants in the High School Mentorship program
We're currently looking for mentors!

Are you passionate about supporting youth in Grades 11 and 12 and their professional growth? 
We’re looking for women and non-binary mentors! 

Share your experience and provide guidance and support to help shape the career of a young cis or trans woman, or gender diverse youth in your community.

Learn more
How the Program Works 

We match young cis and trans women, and gender-diverse youth in Grades 11 and 12 (mentees) with volunteer professionals (mentors) for a one-to-one mentoring relationship. Matches are based on career and education goals, hobbies and the level of support required. Mentees and mentors *meet a minimum of once a month and attend a minimum of one workshop offered by the program staff during the program duration from November to June. 

As a mentee, you will:

  • Explore your career options
  • Create education and training plans
  • Improve your leadership skills
  • Gain life experience, advice and more

Our program welcomes members of the LGBTQIA2S+ and Disabled communities and primarily serves cis and trans women and people who are systemically marginalized due to their gender identity and gender expression

 

Please Note: During the pandemic, some of our programming will be held virtually online, and all planned in-person meetings, workshops and events will adhere by the latest provincial health guidelines and recommendations. Program participants will be notified of updates should any health guidelines and recommendations change.

 

Testimonials
Mentee - YWCA High School Mentorship

This program is so special! You can’t get this opportunity anywhere else. I loved connecting with my mentor whether it’s be through personal stories or talks about career. I feel as if I have gained a new friend and a relationship that is so full of positivity and compassion.

Mentee - YWCA High School Mentorship

Having a mentor was one of the best experiences of my life. I had someone there to help guide me and offer advice when I needed it.

Mentee - YWCA High School Mentorship

It was a wonderful experience having someone with knowledge and experience in the field that I want to pursue in the future, as I do not have anyone that I know personally who works in the field.

Program Timeline

Unsure about your career interests and looking for support? A mentor can be there to guide and support you, and help you explore your academic and professional interests, and practice leadership and communication skills.

September – October: Mentee Intake

How to apply:

  • Apply through our online form
  • Attend an interview with our program staff
  • Attend an orientation session

Commitment:

  • A minimum of 1 meet up with your Mentors per month (minimum one hour) from November to June
  • Attend a minimum of 1 workshop/event hosted by YWCA program staff with your Mentor
  • Submit monthly journals/check-ins
  • Proactively organize and schedule your meet up with your mentor

For more information, contact the High School Mentorship team at mentorship@ywcavan.org or phone Program Coordinator at 604 2195628.

October – November: Matches between mentees and mentors are based on career interests, personalities and the support mentees need to succeed. Only candidates who demonstrate a genuine interest and are ready to make a commitment from November to June will be considered.

Our volunteer mentors are caring and passionate adult volunteers who are committed to helping their mentees grow professionally and navigate through barriers they may face. Mentors understand the value of a positive adult friendship intergenerational guidance and the importance of positive role models in a young person’s life. Mentors gain as much from the relationships as the mentees, often making life-long friends.

Mentees who have benefited the most are flexible and open to new experiences, able to express their needs, maintain consistent and open communication, take initiative when organizing meetings and are committed and motivated!

November – June: You’ll meet with your match at least once a month for seven months and attend a minimum of one workshop hosted by program staff.

Some activities our mentors and mentees like to do together include:

  • Meeting over coffee or video to chat about career goals and education plans
  • Touring universities/colleges
  • Researching and discussing education programs/options
  • Arranging job shadowing (if appropriate)
  • Participating in recreational activities
  • Attending workshops, classes and events together

To ensure a low-barrier program, we offer and host free workshops and events, in addition to monthly newsletter with free and low-cost activity ideas.

 

Please Note: During the pandemic, some of our programming will be held virtually online, and all planned in-person meetings, workshops and events will adhere by the latest provincial health guidelines and recommendations. Program participants will be notified of updates should any health guidelines and recommendations change.