On June 4th, MENTOR Vermont (formerly Mobius) hosted the third annual Vermont Mentoring Symposium, at the Waterbury State Office Complex! The Symposium is the only professional development and networking opportunity of its kind focused on youth mentoring in Vermont and brings together mentoring program staff, board members, and supporters from across the state. This year the Symposium featured a keynote address from David Shapiro, CEO of MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and workshop tracks dedicated to supporting youth in exploring post-secondary education, adverse childhood experiences and trauma-informed care, and strengthening mentoring program operations.
This year’s schedule of events:
9:00-9:30 – Registration
9:30-9:35 – Welcome: Ken Schatz (Commissioner of DCF)
9:35-9:45 – Remarks: Al Gobeille (Secretary of AHS)
9:45-10:00 – State of Mentoring in Vermont & Who is in the Room? (Chad Butt, E.D. of Mobius)
10:00-10:45 – Keynote Address: David Shapiro (CEO of MENTOR)
11:00-12:30 – Workshop Session 1
12:30-1:15 – Lunch
1:30-3:00 – Workshop Session 2
3:15-4:45 – Large Group Facilitated Discussions
4:45-5:00 – Closing
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Workshop Session 1
Neurodiversity in Mentoring (Brad Smith, Executive Director – Vermont Learning-Support Initiative, and Corey Richardson, Adjunct Faculty Division of Education and Human Studies – Champlain College)
This workshop will focus on creating better awareness and understanding of the neurodiverse community we live in and how to best support neurodiverse mentees and mentors.
Neurodiversity power-point
Fundraising: You Can Do It! (Joyce Cellars, Associate – CPG Enterprises, Inc.)
This workshop will focus on helping you feel comfortable and confident as a fundraiser for your program. You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of the basics of fundraising methods and theory, learn about the most cost-effective types of fundraising for your needs, and get some basic tools that you can use right away.
Post-Secondary Opportunities Besides College (Post-Secondary Track) (Liz Schlegel, Executive Director – The Alchemist Foundation)
This workshop will explore the post-secondary opportunities for youth in Vermont besides four-year college. What the options are, how youth can access them, and why they are important.
Workshop Session 2
Adverse Childhood Experiences (Kathleen Hentcy, Mental Health & Health Care Integration Director – Department of Mental Health)
This workshop is an introduction into the concept of Adverse Childhood Experiences. It will include the viewing of the film Resilience and a short panel discussion.
How to Make Your Mentoring Program Successful (BobbiJo Stellato, Program Director – The Mentor Connector)
This workshop is meant for newer program staff. With limited staff time it can be hard to figure out where to focus your efforts. We will discuss what areas of your mentoring program are the most important to ensure your program will be successful.
Program Success pdf
Self-Care Evaluation
College Access and Support (Post-Secondary Track) (Liam Danaher, Student Engagement Coordinator – Vermont Student Assistance Corporation)
This workshop will explore strategies for how to best support mentees that wish to pursue college and help them be successful once enrolled.
Large Group Facilitated Discussion
Life After High School (Post-Secondary Track) (Chad Butt, Executive Director – MENTOR Vermont)
How can mentoring programs in Vermont collaborate to better support mentees in their post-high school plans?
ACEs: What Do We Do Now? (Kreig Pinkham, Director – Washington County Youth Services Bureau)
What is/should the role of mentoring programs in Vermont be in combating Adverse Childhood Experiences and providing trauma-informed care?
Youth Thrive Power-point presentation
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