Protégé Handbook

• Motivation

• 1-year commitment 

• 5-8 hours of combined communication a month. That includes email, texting, video chat, and phone calls 

• Weekly phone or video call with your mentor

• Monthly in-person outings

• Participate in Mentoring Road Map Journey to reach academic, career, civic engagement and personal development goals. 

• Communicate with staff monthly

• Participate in at least 2 PowerUp! Events each season (Fall, Spring or Summer)

Mentors, Inc. @ Kid Power Main Office - 202.484.1404

Aiden Teplitzky Dobens, program manager - 202.227.0366

CHAMPS (Child and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service) of Catholic Charities - (202) 481-1440

National Suicide Awareness and Prevention Hotline - 1-800-273-8255

DC Access Helpline -  In case of a mental health emergency -1(888)7WE-HELP or 1-888-793-4357

Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7 crisis counseling - Text HOME to 741741

In case of an emergency - 911 

Our protégés are our young people, otherwise known as mentee. We use the word protégé to signal our strengths-based mentorship model, as opposed to a deficit-based model where the mentor holds more power. Our mentoring relationships are partnerships and using the term protégé is to help signal to our youth that they have power, agency and responsibility in the mentoring partnership. 

“Golden Rule” If the parent/guardian is ok with the activity, we are ok with the activity (as long as it’s not illegal) 

Transportation: Public transit is great. You may ride with the mentor in their car if your parent/guardian approves. 

Home Visits: If your parent/guardian approves, visiting your mentor’s home is allowed after 3-6 months after being matched. Staff should be notified of home visits prior to scheduling. 

Overnight and out of town travel: If all parties approve, especially the parents/guardians, overnight out of town travel can be allowed between the mentor and protégé. Any overnight travel must have a clear and agreed upon purpose such as college visits, volunteer trips, etc.  Please contact your staff contact for further information prior to scheduling overnight and out of town travel.

Gifts: Small gifts are okay, we recommend parent/guardian approval for all gifts and require it for any purchases over $25. Staff should be notified of all gifts between matches. 

Reporting: Mentor and protégé check-in with staff every month via phone or video call. Failure to check-in with staff monthly may lead to match closure. 

“No-No’s”: Mentors are prohibited from using cigarettes, drugs, or alcohol in the presence of their protégé. Additionally, mentors should not be in possession of firearms or such materials in the presence of their protégé. If violation occurs, please notify staff immediately, as any violation will result in suspension or termination of the mentor.