Frequently Asked Questions

Questions for Mentees and Mentors

Why should I be a mentor? Benefits for Mentors
  • Personal fulfillment through contribution to community and individual
  • Satisfaction in helping someone mature, progress, and achieve goals
  • Training sessions and group activities
  • Connect with other mentors
  • Personal ongoing support and supervision to help the match succeed
  • Mentee/mentor group activities, complimentary tickets to community events, participant recognition events
What is the time requirement? Mentors are required to meet with their mentee for a minimum of four hours per month, for a minimum of one year. Can I be a mentor if I don’t have a car? Mentors are not required to have a vehicle but must still do their best to use reliable transportation when meeting with their mentee. Do I have to be 21 to be a mentor? Not necessarily! We will accept mentors ages 18-20 on a case-by-case basis. We do not allow individuals under the age of 18 to become mentors. Is virtual mentoring an option? Yes! Does Amachi pay for outings? The mentor and mentee’s families are responsible for paying for outings. However, Amachi holds several free events throughout the year where matches are welcome (and encouraged!) to attend. In addition, we work with Tickets for Kids for events going on around the city, so please feel free to suggest outings! What are the benefits of mentoring? Research shows that mentoring works:
  • Increased youth self-confidence and better school performance and behavior
  • Mentored youth are 46% less likely to get involved with drugs or alcohol
  • 86% of mentored youth go on to higher education
  • Mentored children develop better relationships with their families and other adults
  • Mentored children have experienced a reduction in feelings of hopelessness
  • Mentored children have a reduction in delinquent behavior such as skipping school and class, initiating drug and alcohol use, and getting into physical fights.
Does everyone in my home need to get background checks? Only the mentor needs to submit background checks. However, mentees are not permitted to be left alone with anyone over the age of 18 for extended periods of time who has not submitted a background check. Can I mentor for two different organizations?/Can I have more than one mentee? Absolutely! If it does not impede your ability to fulfill your one-on-one time commitment with your Amachi mentee, you are welcome to mentor youth from another organization. At Amachi, we focus on the importance of the one-on-one mentoring relationship. Mentors may not have two Amachi mentees, unless there are extenuating circumstances. How often does Amachi have match events? Amachi holds quarterly match outings and monthly general family outings. Can I still mentor if I move out of the state/county? If you are willing to maintain your mentoring relationship virtually, you are welcome to continue being a mentor. However, if you are unable to fulfill the time commitment virtually, we may ask to close your match but encourage you to maintain contact on an unofficial basis. Can I take my mentee on day trips/overnight trips? Mentors are not permitted to take their mentees on overnight trips. However, day trips are allowed within the bordering counties: Beaver, Butler, Westmoreland, and Washington. Day trips outside of the bordering counties may be allowed on a case-by-case basis and with written permission from the parent/guardian.

Questions for Ambassadors

How old do you have to be to be an ambassador? To join the Ambassadors Program, youth need to be between the ages of 14-18 years old. Is this a paid program? Yes, there is a stipend given to each youth who engages and participates in each meeting. Lunch is also provided on Ambassador Saturdays, and a ConnectCard is given if needed to get to and from Amachi events. What is the time commitment? The Ambassadors meet every other Saturday between the hours of 10 AM- 1 PM. What is the objective of the program? This is a youth-led civic engagement after school program focusing on social justice, equity, and leadership skills. The Ambassadors will define issues that are important and impactful to them and will work towards a campaign to address those issues. Subject matter experts are brought in and events take place during the meetings to help build skills and knowledge on a variety of areas that are significant in the Ambassadors’ lives.

Additional Questions

Can’t find the question you’re looking for? Email us at info@amachipgh.com and a representative will get back to you as soon as possible.