MENTOR Vermont is excited to announce the Annual Vermont Mentoring Symposium will be hybrid this year! We will be offering virtual workshops October 17th, with the conference culminating in Waterbury, VT on October 18th.
The Vermont Mentoring Symposium is convened annually by MENTOR Vermont, and is the only professional development and networking opportunity of its kind focused on youth mentoring in Vermont. The conference brings together mentoring program staff from across the state, and includes workshops dedicated to current and important topics, and opportunities for the mentoring community to learn from one another.
This year, the theme is Fostering Self-Agency in Youth! We are thrilled to have a diverse range of topics, presenters, and youth participants for this year’s symposium!
Registration for this event has now closed.
Please contact MENTOR Vermont at [email protected] with questions.
Tuesday, October 17th – Virtual
12:30 – 1:00
‘New’ Coordinator Welcome
1:00 – 1:50
Engaging Your Advisory Boards
2:00 – 2:50
Evaluating Your Program
3:00 – 3:50
Program Collaboration: Engaging with Other Programs in the Mentoring Field
4:00 – 4:50
A Community Conversation: Peer and Group Mentoring
Wednesday, October 18th – Waterbury, VT
8:45 – 9:15
Arrival and Registration
9:15 – 9:25
Welcome
9:25 – 9:45
Keynote: Fostering Mentoring & Wellness Relationships
9:45 – 10:45
Activities for Building Self-Agency
15-minute break
the Hub IRL – Feedback room
11:00 – 11:50
Engaging Youth Voice: Youth Decision Making-Power in Your Organization
11:50 – 12:50
Lunch
12:50 – 1:00
Group Photo
1:00 – 3:30
Plenary: Self-Agency and Community Care: Reflexive Practices for Equity & Justice
10 min break
the Hub IRL – Feedback room
3:40 – 4:40
Who’s Mentoring Who? The Evolution of our Mentoring Journey
4:40 – 4:50
Closing remarks
Keynote Speaker
Jen Colman
Jen Colman holds a MA degree in Management & Organizational Leadership from University of St. Catherine and MA in Psychology & Counseling from Goddard College. She has certifications in Trauma Informed Practice from University of Vermont and Youth Suicide Prevention Training from Center for Health and Learning. Jen is a mental health provider for children and adolescents; she collaborates with youth-based organizations and schools to provide direct mental health services. She is also the Executive Director of Green Mountain Mobile Therapy, a nonprofit organization that provides accessible mental health and social emotional resources for children and adolescents. For self-care, Jen spends her time with her family, walking her dog, reading mysteries, crafting and going to CrossFit classes!
Plenary Speaker
Rebecca Eunmi Haslam, Ph.D.
Rebecca Eunmi Haslam, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Education Department and Coordinator of the Racial Equity and Educational Justice Graduate Certificate Program at Saint Michael’s College. Prior, Dr. Haslam was an elementary school teacher in the Burlington School District, where she was named the 2015 Vermont State Teacher of the Year, and served as a K-5 Social Studies coach, curriculum developer, and PreK-12 equity coach. As founder of Seed the Way LLC, Dr. Haslam provides professional development and consultation for PreK-16 educators, leaders, board members, and community partners with a focus on antiracist pedagogies, praxis, and critical studies in education.
Morning Workshop Presenter
Sarah E. DeBouter, MSL
Sarah began working at MENTOR Vermont in January 2022. She has 11 years of experience in nonprofit, workplace skills development, training, and coaching. Working with multiple populations ranging from children, homeless veterans, intellectual/ developmental disabilities, and active duty distance-learners in higher education, she brings her energy and enthusiasm to her role in providing training and support to youth programs in the State of Vermont. With a Master of Science in Leadership and Leading Change Management Consulting, Sarah believes firmly in building poositive and inclusive spaces that welcome diversity and foster an environment of autonomy, respect, and shared values.
Afternoon Workshop Presenters
Ka’marrey Noel and Barbara Spaulding, 2023 Ambassadors of Mentoring
Ka’marrey and Barbie have been matched for 7 years. Their experiences together have taught them patience, how to work as a team, how to create a strong bond, loyalty, being consistent in each other’s lives, trying new things, and taking risks.
I know the friendship/bond we created is something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. – Ka’marrey, mentee
