Every child participates in pre-match training before officially starting their match with their in school mentor. Strong from the Start training is so that the key messages of the In-School Mentoring program can be shared with each mentee.
Key Messages – Strong from the Start
- Welcome to BBBS
- Clarifying the terms: Mentor, Mentee and Match
- Key Topics
- Healthy Relationships: ensuring everyone has an understanding what a healthy relationship looks like.
- Voices & Choices: Mentees are encouraged to share their thoughts, feelings, and interests. We want them to feel comfortable exercising their voice and choice with their mentors.
- Circle of Support: We talk with the mentees about the adults in their lives who support them, such as parents/guardians, teachers, family members, mentors and friends
- Boundaries: Reinforcing what mentees know about boundaries so they understand what feels safe and respectful
- Secrets: We discuss the difference between keep secrets (secrets when kept no harm comes to yourself or others) as well as speak secrets (secrets that should be shared with an adult to ensure you and those around you are safe).