Mentoring Resource Center
The Mentoring Resource Center (MRC) is a division of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami. Our goal is to provide a mentor for every child in need by collaborating and building the mentoring capacity of Miami-Dade County's child-serving agencies. MRC refers volunteers to over 40 member agencies and also provides the agencies with training and consultation services. It is the lead agency for America's Promise and the Governor's Mentoring Initiative.
Our goal is to assist individuals and families to find the needed services in the community.
The Mentoring Resource Center provides:
Customized Training
MRC designs and implements trainings for mentoring agencies and their volunteers, employees, and families. They are based on the needs of the organization and may include topics such as:
- Role of the Mentor
- Train the Trainer
- Time Management
- Cultural Diversity
Resources for Families
MRC helps families find the needed resources in the community. We make referrals to provide services at a low cost and in the area. Services include:
- Counseling
- After school programs
- Mentoring
- Tutoring
- Summer camps
- Housing assistance
Community Classes
Our Education and Training Manager hosts monthly workshops. These classes are free and open to the community. MRC member agencies can request these workshops as well. Topics include:
- Health and fitness
- Financial planning
- Family safety
- Belly dancing
- Self-esteem
- Housing
Volunteer Recruitment and Referral
Those that are interested in volunteering can contact us to find an agency that best fits their needs. Volunteers are referred to one of the MRC Network members based on their interests, schedule, and preferences. MRC recruits mentors through a number of sources:
- Presentations
- Children's Trust Directory
- Print ads
- Community referrals
- Radio PSAs
- College and community fairs
Program Development and Consultation
MRC works with new and developing agencies to design appropriate programs, or to recommend collaborations with existing programs. Some of the training manuals used are:
- Setting up a Mentoring Program
- Mentor Management A-Z
- Train the Trainer
Representation
MRC represents a number of programs and initiatives in the Miami area:
- United Way of Miami Dade County
- The Governor's Mentoring Initiative
- Day of the Child
- Volunteer Florida Foundation
- Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
- Harvard Mentoring Partnership
- Youth Service America
Network Opportunities
The MRC Network includes over 40 agencies that provide services to the children of Miami-Dade County. The Network meets quarterly to share resources, achievements and needs. This information is used to assess the progress and needs of our community. MRC provides resources to the Network such as:
- Training
- Community opportunities
- Grants
- Complimentary tickets to events
- Networking opportunities
- Volunteer referrals
- Family referral
National Mentoring Month
January is National Mentoring Month, a month long celebration honoring our community's mentors and spreading the word about the need for more. Events include:
- Day of the Child—a free event celebrating the mentoring experience
- Feature stories in print mediums
- Radio and TV PSAs
Visit Miami's Promise to learn more about the MRC or inquire about working with kids in Miami-Dade County.
We work with over 40 non-profit agencies that provide many different volunteer opportunities for you.
- 5,000 Role Models
- Abriendo Puertas, Inc.
- All Aboard Educational Services
- Amigos for Kids
- Belafonte Tacolcy Center
- Best Buddies
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami
- Centro Campesino
- CHARLEE House
- Coconut Grove Cares
- Communities in Schools of Miami
- Educate Tomorrow
- Everybody Wins
- Foster Care Review
- Friendship Circle
- Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida
- Gear Up Edison
- Guardian ad Litem
- Habitat for Humanity
- Hands On Miami
- His House Children's Home
- Inner City Outings
- Intel Computer Clubhouse (Little Haiti)
- Intel Computer Clubhouse (YWCA)
- Junior Achievement
- Kristi House
- Metro Mercy House
- Miami Dade County Public Schools
- Miami Jackson Sr High
- Miami Museum of Science
- My Backyard
- Non-Violence Project
- Read 2 Succeed
- A Safe Haven for Newborns
- South Florida Workforce Youth Co-Op, Inc.
- Switchboard Miami
- Take Stock in Children
- Touching Miami With Love
- Urgent, Inc.
- Victim Services Center
- Women in Community Services
- You + Me Mentoring Project
