Thank you for your interest in becoming a mentor to an EPIC Girl!

If you are here because you believe our girls matter; that they deserve a positive, healthy, consistent adult in their life; and you would like to be that person, then you are who we are looking for!

A mentor’s role is to be:

• A safe, supportive relationship—like a mother, sister, or friend—who can listen, help a girl cope with stress, and direct her towards counsel and services as needed.
• A healthy role model who can help her see different choices and new possibilities for herself. 

Mentors are not professionally trained counselors. They are everyday people like you who are committed to being a resource and a support system to a girl who needs someone to show up for her. 

8 qualities of an EPIC mentor

1. You’re willing to commit time, invest in a relationship, and be a consistent source of support for a girl. 
2. You’re bought into the vision of EPIC Girl and are committed to bringing out your mentee’s inner hero.
3. You’re a great listener who prefers to model new possibilities vs. disciplining and correcting.
4. You have a desire to learn—about the girls we serve, the dynamics of the criminal justice system, complex trauma, and the principles our curriculum teaches. You’re willing to lay aside your assumptions and preconceived notions and bring a posture of curiosity and grace.
5. You’ve done your work, aren’t easily triggered or reactive, and are ready to be a calm, healthy presence.
6. You’re willing to get out of your comfort zone and go into new environments while holding appropriate boundaries and listening to your intuition. 
7. You can show up without judgment for anyone’s background or story and treat everyone with dignity and respect. 
8. You’re ready for a life-changing relationship that will not only impact the girl you mentor, but that will also teach you and enrich your life.

Requirements

• Must be 21 years old or older. Mentors under age 25 will be paired with an older mentor.
• Must be female.
• Must live in Tennessee or be willing to travel to your mentee’s location monthly and have reliable transportation. 
• Must pass a background check and complete 8-10 hours of in-person and online training before being paired with your mentee.
• Time commitment:
  • Connect with your mentee at least once per week via text or phone.
  • Meet with your mentee in person at least once a month.
  • Commit to mentoring for a minimum of one year.

Sound like you? Let’s get to know each other!

Because mentoring is a serious commitment, we carefully evaluate, match, and train prospective mentors before matching you with a mentee. 

Here’s what you can expect from the process:

1. Get started by filling out the application below.
2. If we think you are a good fit for the program, we will reach out to schedule an interview + background check.
3. Once your application is approved, you will complete comprehensive online training to prepare you to pour into the life of your mentee and navigate the systems we interact with.
4. You will be matched with an amazing girl and be an instrumental part of each other’s journeys.