SUPPORTING

YOUTH

IN ABBOTSFORD

THROUGH

MENTORING

Restorative Mentoring

The Restorative Mentoring Program is designed for youth participating in a restorative process through either a police-based Restorative Justice Program or a school-based Restorative Action Program within Abbotsford middle schools. Mentees have the opportunity to receive support from a mentor throughout the restorative process while developing a positive, healthy relationship with a caring adult.

“I have made a lot of bad choices in my life...since having my mentor I haven't, and have been supported through them instead … I enjoy being with him because my home life is stressful so having someone outside my house has been helpful.”

Youth Mentee

Since 2007, Abbotsford Restorative Justice and Advocacy Association (ARJAA) has operated a Restorative Mentoring program. This program pairs responsible and caring adults with at-risk youth who are going through the restorative justice process or who have been referred to us through our schools program.

Restorative Mentoring matches at-risk youth from both our Restorative Action and Restorative Justice programs, with responsible adult mentors. These mentors will help the youth to complete their restorative justice agreement and to develop skills to deal with stress and conflict in a non-destructive manner.

The Philosophy of Restorative Mentoring

Research shows that having just one caring adult who listens in a non-judgmental way and shows genuine empathy can greatly strengthen a young person's resilience and support their ability to develop healthy relationships throughout their life.

In our mentoring program we hope to create a "working alliance” between the mentor and mentee. This consists of developing an amicable relationship that will enable the young person to receive the support and encouragement of a responsible and caring adult.

Combined with the instrumental pursuit of specific goals, this program strengthens youths’ resilience to the risk factors that are known to lead to victimization, violence and criminal activities. These mentors provide the youth, not only with a positive role model, but with emotional support and friendship, two factors that can increase self-worth and help the young person in times of stress and crisis.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Youth receive mentors for a variety of reasons. For the most part it means your child was involved in a restorative action process at their school and through that, a mentor was offered to provide continued support beyond the restorative process.

  • Yes. ARJAA’s mentors are over 19 yrs. of age and undergo an extensive screening process to ensure your child is being matched with someone who will be safe, reliable, responsible, and a good role model. This screening includes an enhanced background check by the Abbotsford Police Department, reference checks, an interview, driver’s abstract check, and the ability to pass our volunteer training. Throughout the match the Mentoring Coordinator monitors and checks in on the matches to ensure they are going well and that the youth is comfortable.

  • Since all our mentors are volunteers, we encourage all matches to find free and low cost activities, but when costs are associated we ask that you either provide your child with money for their share of the cost or give it to their mentor to cover your child’s portion. If finances are a barrier to your child doing things with their mentor please let us know. From time to time we receive grants and donations/ discounts from community agencies to support activities in our mentoring program.

  • This varies from match to match depending on the youth’s interests and the areas your child needs support in. Common examples of mentoring activities include: playing sports, doing arts/crafts, homework help, bowling, going for walks and other outdoor activities. Going to movies is another option however this will be subject to prior parent/guardian approval and being age/content appropriate.

  • Generally we plan for matches to be 1 year from the date the match starts. During this time we expect our mentors to try and spend at least 6 hours a month with the youth they are mentoring. If at the 1 year mark your child still needs the support of a mentor we can explore the possibility of extending the match.

  • The mentoring program is voluntary for everyone involved so your child will not be stuck with their mentor if it does not work out. We try to match youth with a mentor who has similar interests and a complimentary personality to make the best match possible. We understand that not everyone connects, so if the match is not working out please let the mentoring coordinator know so that we can address the problem and/or rematch your child.

  • The only expectations we have for yourself and your child are to remember the planned meetings with their mentor and to provide adequate notice if a meeting needs to be cancelled. Our mentors will be responsible for arranging meetings but as the relationship develops we hope that your child will begin to take initiative to initiate meetings/ contact with their mentor.

  • Generally we aim to match youth with a suitable mentor within 2 weeks of receiving the youth mentor application. Due to the high demand for mentors, occasionally there is a waitlist and if this is the case the Mentoring Coordinator will contact you to let you know the approximate wait time. Many times the waitlist is only a couple months.

If you have any questions about the mentoring program, or if you have a youth that you would like to refer to the program, please contact our Mentoring Coordinator at mentoring@arjaa.org.

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