Understanding Your Mentee's Background

This module helps mentors to understand the four essential human needs of connectedness, competence, independence, and service, as well as how young people may attempt to meet these needs. The module describes some critical challenges that mentees may have experienced and how these challenges may affect your mentee’s relationships with others. By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Describe the essential needs that youth strive to meet
• Describe the factors that shape the needs and behaviors of youth, especially those who have experienced trauma or extremely challenging circumstances
• Identify strategies to support and mentor young people who are facing these challenges

This training module is designed to complement the in-person mentor training that your mentoring program provides.  We strongly encourage you to work closely with your mentoring program coordinator to understand your mentee’s experiences and to contact program staff whenever you have questions or concerns about the mentoring relationship.