The Nanaimo Unique Kids Organization is launching a mentoring program to support neuro-developmentally disabled children and their families. The program will match mentors with mentees, who are either caregivers seeking assistance or youth aged 16 and older. Mentors will provide guidance on accessing services and information, help with life and employment skills, and offer recreational support. The goals are to empower mentees through knowledge sharing and networking while renewing confidence in mentors.

1. Nanaimo Unique Kids Organization Mentoring Project 2008-09 Funded in whole or part through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement.

2. Nanaimo Unique Kids Organization Non-profit charitable organization Serves neuro-developmentally disabled children & their families Provides 2 Learning Centres in Nanaimo (growing) Offers support to families

3. NUKO now helps families to… advocate for children/youth access services form or refer to support groups establish recreation groups (families and children/youth) present information sharing (workshops, etc.)

4. Why a mentoring program? Environmental Scan- Survey Results found problems… * Parent Knowledge * Access to Information * Waitlists * Funding changes * Cracks & Collaboration * Transitioning

5. What support do parents & caregivers receive? advocacy help group recreation peer contact information education & more…

6. And supports for youth and young adults? pre-employment skills life skills academic support recreation

7. What is Mentoring? “ Mentoring is a relationship where a person with relevant experience supports, counsels, guides, and helps another individual to develop similar capacities.”

8. Who is a mentee? 1. 16 + years (disabled) 2. parent/caregiver Seeking assistance to access information, programs/services, recreation, etc.

9. Who is a mentor? good listener patient, tolerant, informed/experienced helpful shares knowledge, empowers, encourages, 18+ available & willing accepts training

10. Win-Win Mentoring… mutually beneficial networking changes lives helps children, youth, young adults

11. Mentoring benefits… MENTEE knowledge information networking attain goals support MENTOR share knowledge renew confidence enhance networking interpersonal skills

12. What is expected of me? MENTORS Attend training Follow protocols, etc. Be dependable Be committed MENTEES Attend training Follow protocols, etc. Be dependable Be committed It’s for THEM!

13. Open communication… be flexible be honest (graciously) build trust talk, talk, talk, listen, listen, listen

14. What support do Mentors and Mentees receive? Clear expectations Training Matching to capacities & desires Management support Recognition

15. Criteria for participation… RIGHTS safe training/support confidential service file access feedback/evaluation respect, dignity, etc. RESPONSIBILITY be respectful be informative keep confidences be responsible

16. Organizational Chart NUKO Board of Directors Program Coordinator Client Intake Manager Mentor Manager Resource Coordinator Youth Resource Coordinator E-Resource Coordinator Ed. Toy LL Coordinator M E N T O R S

17. Testimonials… professional parent/caregiver

18. Power of Mentoring… MENTOR satisfaction MENTEE strength

19. Mentees & Mentors…