Become a Mentor

Each Mentor will be paired with a Mentee. The Mentee will be a recently arrived Ukrainian Woman who is seeking peer support and guidance. The one-year program (meeting once monthly) is extremely flexible, allowing each pair to customize their overall experience to add meaningful connections and benefits for both individuals.

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We've designed and streamlined the program to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency for all involved; resulting in compounding benefits for both parties. 

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Eligibility for the Mentorship program include; age 18 plus, residing in Calgary AB, a satisfactory criminal record check, two references, and the willingness to make a meaningful difference! Please note: you do NOT need to be of Ukrainian origin to become a mentor. 

The goals for the program vary depending on the unique needs of each individual. However some common themes include navigating life in Canada, enhancing English language skills, and seeking education or employment pathways. 

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Each Mentor will be provided with a robust resource handbook. This will include helpful starting points, existing community resources for the newcomer that might be helpful, etc. Don't worry! You are not in this alone. UWAA has a wealth of knowledge to pass along that makes each mentorship session beneficial. Equipped with various connections points to accelerate help for the newly arrived women in all life domains. 

As a Mentor, we request a one-year time commitment as this allows for outcomes to flourish. In terms of the schedule, each pair will decide on the time, location, and frequency of meetings or catch-ups. We request that each pair meet at a minimum once a month. However, we highly recommend in the first 1-3 months you meet more frequently (2-3 times per month) if your schedule allows. As in the initial settlement phase, more questions become prevalent and it allows for a solid connection to be formed for both parties. 

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Regarding meet-up logistics. Each pair will be provided with the phone number and email (if relevant) to each individual. You are welcome to connect over the phone or via video chat; however, we do think in-person connections are more meaningful. Our suggestion is to meet in public places such as public libraries, coffee shops, or parks (weather permitting).

 

As an organization, UWAA commits to making the mentorship program the most successful it can be for both the Mentor and Mentee. We are here to help and navigate any questions that may arise. Each Mentor will be provided with dedicated support, advice, and other suggestions to ensure your highly valuable time and commitment is appreciated and acknowledged. 

Becoming a Mentor can be as beneficial as participating as a Mentee. We hope this opportunity allows the Mentor to make a meaningful connection, give back to the local community, and experience a different culture without having to travel! We are grateful for our volunteers and are happy to provide a letter of recommendation for university applications, volunteer hours, resume builders, etc. Most importantly, you will be making a tangible difference in the lives of others. 

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We are always available to help in any way that we can!