Mentoring

During the Summer Legal Fellowship Program, we match each of our students with a mentor, who provides them with friendship, guidance, and encouragement after the Program ends. The mentors help the young people develop and pursue their educational and career goals.

Responsibilities of mentors

We ask mentors to make a commitment of one year, beginning in the summer. Mentors are invited to attend several Program events during the summer. After the Summer Program ends, we hold recreational events for mentors and the Program graduates every few months.

Starting in the fall, we ask mentors to contact graduates at least three times per month by phone, and try to get together in person at least once a month. Getting together might entail attending a group event sponsored by the Center, or doing something one-on-one, such as going over a job application or college essay, investigating colleges and financial aid options, or just eating lunch or attending a baseball game.

The Director contacts mentors throughout the year to facilitate the relationship, provide suggestions, and gauge the progress of each graduate.

Who should be a mentor?

The most important characteristic of a good mentor is the willingness to commit time and energy to developing an ongoing relationship with a young person. We especially look for mentors who represent the ethnic and racial makeup of the youth, or come from similar backgrounds.

Involvement in a law-related career is not a requirement. Although some of our young people are committed to law careers and would like mentors who are lawyers, many students have other interests and plans.

Mentoring