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Building Deep and Sustained Relationships with Young People

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MPM IS THE DRIVING FORCE IN THE MENTORING MOVEMENT IN MINNESOTA. WE BRING TOGETHER DIVERSE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS AROUND TWO STRATEGIC GOALS:

•MPM will Increase Quality Mentoring in Minnesota

•MPM is the Leading Champion of Quality Mentoring Across Minnesota

Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota

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External AssetsExternal Assets

Support

Empowerment

Boundariesand

Expectations

ConstructiveUse of Time

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Internal AssetsInternal Assets

Commitmentto Learning

Positive Values

Social Competencies

Positive Identity

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What is a Spark?What is a Spark? A special quality, skill, or interest that lights

us up and that we are passionate about. Something that comes from inside of us,

and when we express it, it gives us joy and energy.

It’s our very essence, the thing about us that is “good and beautiful, and useful to the world.”

What were your sparks?

Who knew about them?Who was your Spark Champion?

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Nature, ecology, the environment Leading

Animal Welfare Athletics

Helping, serving, volunteering Reading

Spirituality or Religion Creative Arts

Committed to living in a specific way (with joy, passion, caring, etc.)

Learning a subject matter like Science or History

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Search Institute’s ResearchSearch Institute’s Research Gallup Poll of 2,000 12 to 17-year-olds

and 2,000 of their parents

Online Poll conducted by Louis Harris polling firm with 1,000 11 to 17-year-olds

Interviews with 405 teens, ages 15-17

Continued assessment in individual communities

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Three Types of SparksThree Types of SparksTeens generally named three types of sparks:

Something they are good at – a talent or skill

Something they care deeply about – such as the environment or serving their community

A quality they know is special – caring for others or being a friend

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Results from Sparks ResearchResults from Sparks Research

When youth know their spark and have several adults who support their spark, they are more likely to:

Have a sense of purpose Be socially competent and physically

healthy Volunteer to help others Have higher grades in school and better

attendance

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Results from Sparks ResearchResults from Sparks ResearchYoung people who know their spark and have several adults who support their spark are less likely to:

Experience depression Engage in acts of violence toward others

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Sparks Most CitedSparks Most Cited1. Athletics2. Creative arts3. Nature, ecology, the environment4. Learning a subject matter like science or history5. Helping, serving, volunteering6. Leading7. Spirituality or religion8. Reading9. Committed to living in a specific way (with joy,

passion, caring, etc.)10. Animal welfare

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How many teenagers have sparks?How many teenagers have sparks?

Say They Do NOT Have a Spark

Say They HAVE a Spark

31%

69%

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The Challenge for Caring AdultsThe Challenge for Caring Adults

37%

62%

100%

Percentage w ith sparkand spark champions

Percentage who canclearly name their spark

Percentage of teenagerswho understand and seek

spark

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The Critical Role of MentorsThe Critical Role of Mentors Only 37 % can identify adults who know

and support their spark. Mentors can play an important role in increasing this.

All young people should have an adult who:

1. sees their spark2. affirms that spark3. helps them explore their spark

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Maximize Your Impact – Maximize Your Impact – MPM Mentor TrainingMPM Mentor Training

Build longer, stronger relationships • Focus on what is strong not what is wrong• Pay attention to what mentees would like for

themselves – not just what we think they need

• Teach and model skills to help young people carry their baggage better

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The Seven Essential QuestionsThe Seven Essential Questions1. What is your spark?2. When and where do you show your spark?3. Who knows your spark?4. Who helps support your spark?5. What gets in your way?6. How can I help?7. How can you use your spark to make our

world better?

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Sparks in ActionSparks in Action

I’m having a hard time connecting with my mentee. We don’t seem to have anything to talk about and he doesn’t share any ideas with me about things he would like to do when we are together.

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Talking with a Child About SparksTalking with a Child About Sparks Watch for signs of sparks - “You really seem to enjoy…”

Share your own sparks - “When I was your age, I was passionate about…”

Ask open-ended questions, and then listen – “What do you think your spark is?”

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Sparks in ActionSparks in Action

My mentee’s goal is to become a famous singer… however, she can’t carry a tune at all!

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Spark Champions Can …Spark Champions Can … Affirm the spark Encourage its expression Model the spark Provide opportunities to express it Run interference and help eliminate obstacles Teach or mentor Show up (at recitals, games, performances, play, reading, contests)

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Tips for Sparks ChampionsTips for Sparks Champions Sparks can change over time Young people need multiple champions;

some to cheer, some to teach Expect “ups and downs” in the

conversations A skill is not automatically a spark Our spark may not be our work

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Featured ResourcesFeatured Resources Sparks: How Parents Can Ignite the Hidden

Strengths of Teenagers by Peter L. Benson http://www.mpmn.org/Resources/SpecialTopics/

Sparks.aspx MPM site with mentor-specific resources

www.IgniteSparks.org Download more resources www.at15.com Youth-oriented resources based

on Search Institute’s work www.search-institute.org Search Institute’s web

site and on-line catalog

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Quote from Alma Powell “It takes a spark to ignite the flame, that

burning desire to succeed. We as mentors must ignite the spark that glows in our children as it sputters and comes to life…

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Quote from Alma Powell As we provide our children with all the

resources they need to grow into happy, healthy individuals capable of taking their place in the world, we must give them learning and growing experiences that provide that “spark,” that one thing that excites and intrigues them. Then we must support that interest and help it to flourish…

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Quote from Alma Powell Our challenge is then to strike the flint that

ignites the spark and then become the keepers of the flame. Feeding the fire, through our support and guidance, providing opportunities and experiences that let that flame grow until it is a glowing light—that can help illuminate the world.”