Frequently Asked Questions
What types of mentoring programs does NWREL work with?
The National Mentoring Center serves both specific clients and the youth mentoring field at large. LEARNS supports mentoring efforts funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, including AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America. The MRC works with programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools.
The National Mentoring Center is available to any youth mentoring program in the United States. We work with schools, community organizations, faith institutions, government agencies, businesses, and private and philanthropic organizations to implement mentoring programs and advocate for expanded youth mentoring opportunities.
Are NWREL's mentoring events open to the general public?
While most of our mentoring events and trainings are designed for specific groups, many are also open to the general public as well. Please see our event calendar for detailed information about availability of particular events.
How can I find out about upcoming National Mentoring Center trainings?
All NMC, MRC, and LEARNS training events are announced on the MentorExchange listserv, which is open to the general public, and are listed on the event calendar.
Do you have a mailing list?
Yes, occasionally we mail out training announcements and other updates about our services. We also disseminate free NMC publications and resources to our mailing list from time to time. Contact Kay Logan at logank@nwrel.org to sign up for our mailing list.
How can I request training for my program?
If you are interested in hiring NWREL to provide training or other services for your mentoring program, please contact us at mentorcenter@nwrel.org or 503-275-0135 to learn more about the assistance we can provide.
Can I order hard copies of NMC, LEARNS, and MRC publications?
A limited number of hard copies are available for certain NMC publications. Please contact Kay Logan at logank@nwrel.org to inquire about NMC publication availability.Can I use the content of NMC, LEARNS, and MRC publications in my own program's materials?
The publications created by the mentoring projects at NWREL are all "public domain," meaning they can be reproduced and adapted by programs for their own use. So the answer is "yes," with a few restrictions:
- Any reproduced content must be attributed to either the National Mentoring Center, LEARNS, or the Mentoring Resource Center, depending on which project published the material.
- NMC, LEARNS, and MRC content cannot be used in for-profit publications or training materials.
- Many of our publications reproduce intellectual property and content from other sources. If you wish to use text from one of our publications that we were granted permission to use, then you must get permission for your use directly from the original source to be in compliance with copyright law.
Who do I contact with website, listerv, or publication questions?
For questions and information regarding the NMC and MRC web resources and publications, contact Michael Garringer at 503-275-9647 or garringm@nwrel.org.
The LEARNS website is maintained by ETR Associates. Questions about the content of the LEARNS site can be addressed to Nicky Martin at martinn@nwrel.org, 503-275-0759.
Can you help my organization implement a mentoring program?
Yes! We can provide support through our staff or through one of the many expert consultants and trainers we work with around the country. Our many publications also offer an excellent road map to getting started. Please contact us at mentorcenter@nwrel.org or 503-275-0135 to learn more about the assistance we can provide.
Can you find my child a mentor?
The mentoring projects at NWREL do not make referrals to direct service providers. The best tools for finding local programs are the state partnerships and online database coordinated by MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership. The searchable database of local programs and links to the various state mentoring partnerships can be found here: http://www.mentoring.org/
