Girls E-Mentorship Innovation (GEM) is a newly launched non-for-profit organisation that creates innovative mentorship programmes for at-risk girls, to inspire those girls to stay in school in order to reach their full potential and achieve economic security. The programmes aim to bridge the social gap between at-risk girls and high achieving women to motivate the next generation of leaders, innovators and mothers.
The programme enables the girls to overcome personal struggles or situations through positive mentorship from a specific mentor, who use their personal knowledge and experiences in order to motivate and help the girls.
The GEM programme specialises in digital media to communicate with the girls, as they are often well versed in social media and often more comfortable discussing their problems and experiences through digital outlets. The mentors are successful women who share similar backgrounds to the girls, who want to give something back to the community.
We spoke to Rochelle de Goias, Executive Director of GEM to find out a little more about the programme and the benefits of mentorship. She explained how the programme is currently in its pilot stage, testing new and alternative ways to engage with the girls, investigating the most positive and effective ways in which mentorship can work. GEM is working with twenty-three girls from high priority neighbourhoods in Toronto to design the structure for future programmes. Through the use of digital media on smartphones, such as texts messaging, Skype, email and instant messaging, the girls are able to explore which platforms are most effective and more comfortable to use, in order to find the best techniques for valuable mentorship. They are also incorporating Coffee Chats where one mentor can meet face to face with multiple mentees and GEM Talks where mentors and mentees can attend lectures on specific topics.
Mentorship is highly valuable for those who need advice or help with their problems, as mentors can offer support, share their personal experiences and offer understanding to those who need it. Dutyfy offer a range of different approaches to mentorship with three key approaches:
- 1:1 Mentorship – Likeminded people are paired together as equals to share experiences and offer personal guidance to their peer, and vice versa. Through 1:1 mentorship, members can share impartial advice and encouragement through the development of a supportive relationship from reflection on your current way of life, help with professional development, self-confidence and problem solving.
- Huddle Mentorship – Our huddle mentorship scheme involves one professional providing a mentorship session for small groups of 5 or 6. After the mentor gives an initial presentation, the mentees are encouraged to ask questions, talk about their own experiences and get tailored advice. Think of it as a speaker event with a new, personal twist.
- Mastermind Groups – This involves bringing together people of similar interests, goals and skill levels to give mutual support and share ideas. At each meeting, one or two people will speak about an issue facing them, or a challenge or dream they have, and the group responds with ideas and shared resources. Perhaps you have a business idea that would benefit from group feedback, or you have an issue you would like to discuss with other professionals? This scheme harnesses the power and creativity of group inspiration and mutual support.
Send us an email to sign up or inquire more about our mentorship programmes.
To find out more about Girls E-Mentorship Innovation and their pilot programme, visit their website: www.girlsementorship.com