Not a friend. Not a teacher. Not a parent. Not an advisor. Not a coach. A mentor is one whose sole concern is the development of character in a young person. Acting on behalf of the community, the mentor's responsibility is to guide the young person on an inner journey of self-discovery, wherein one's unique gifts and insights can be claimed, and brought forth into the world. The mentor thus creates a bond of mutual benefit between a young person and the community; and by means of this bond, both the individual and the community are renewed. It is precisely this bond between young people and their communities that is lacking in modern society. Our young remain isolated and uninitiated, possessing only an economic connection (as job holders and consumers) to the larger society in which they live. Craving what they lack, young people will often turn to whatever means available to fill their need for identity, power, and a sense of participation in something larger then themselves: a gang, a cult, early pregnancy, antisocial behavior. Having spent the last twenty years working with disenfranchised youth, I am convinced they they will not find their way back into a healthy and productive relationship with their communities on their own; it is the community itself that must take responsibility for building the bridge back to young people. Mentors are those bridge builders. Are you ready for the challenge? Becoming a Mentor is a course designed for those serious about renewing this critical role in modern society. Based on twenty years of research on myth, rites of passage, and cross-cultural models of mentorship, and the practical application of this research in schools, churches, youth service agencies and mental health programs around the country, The Midway Center has distilled this learning into a challenging and engaging curriculum that is adaptable to a wide variety of settings and situations. Course Content Becoming a Mentor is a five day experiential course that provides participants with both the historical background and practical tools and techniques needed to begin effective mentorship programs in their local communities. Guided by the belief that we can only teach what we ourselves have lived through, the curriculum guides participants on a personal journey in order to discover the unique gifts each of us brings to the mentor role. Topics include: the necessary crises of adolescence, and how they provide unique opportunities for character development an overview of ancient rites of passage, including the role of story, myth, tradition, challenge, suffering, and ceremony in the life of a young person and the life of a community creative tools designed specifically to engage young people in a structured inner journey of discovery suggestions and examples for getting mentoring programs started back home Participants will receive a copy of Seven Islands, a practical guide to mentorship, and learn to design strength-based learning challenges for balanced physical, social and emotional growth