For Referrals: DYS Mentoring Referral Form

DYS Mentoring Founding Principles

DYS Mentoring is founded on the principle of providing role models to aid in the development of adolescents, socially and emotionally. DYS mentors help adolescents learn to understand and communicate their feelings, to relate appropriately to their peers, and to develop healthy relationships with other adults.

DYS Mentoring Approach

• The DYS mentoring philosophy affirms that mentoring works best when goals are focused on developing a trusting relationship with peers and adults.
• DYS mentoring is staffed with mentors that carry a primary goal of building trust and becoming a positive role model to the adolescent they serve.
• DYS Mentoring is designed to help adolescents develop socially, thus building social skills that aid in the success of behavioral goals, achieving better grades, and resisting substance use.
• DYS mentoring also believes that parental involvement is essential, and will attempt to engage parental involvement in a manner that does not threaten the youth-parent relationship.
• DYS mentors and youth are matched on the foundation of mutual interest and family preference.
• DYS Mentoring sessions involve structured activities, that both the mentor and adolescent share equal part in planning.
• The DYS mentoring program is designed to provide mentor-youth relationships that exist for at least a year, with meetings of at least five hours per week.

For more information contact:

Shawn Freeman B.S., QMHP
Program Director/Dominion Youth Services
804-402-0297 or 804-440-7074