MENTOR RESOURCES »
Thank you for joining the mentoring community as a volunteer mentor, mentee/youth, caregiver, or community partner!
We have provided a variety of resources that may impact young people, their families, or the broader community. After you view or download any of these resources, please take a moment to complete a brief form at the bottom of the page. This form helps us understand which resources you have accessed and what you’ve learned. Your feedback is crucial for meeting grant objectives and supporting future mentor/mentee matches!
Types of Resources:
- Micro Learning: Short 5–10 minute videos on specific topics and their relevance to mentoring relationships. Please note there are follow-up resources in the description under the video on YouTube for further learning.
- Full Training: 1-2 hour training videos from previous sessions offered by the KAMI collaborative.
- Additional Resources: Downloadable PDFs or links that may be useful for you, your mentee, or their family.
Thank you for your participation and for helping us improve our mentoring programs!
MENTOR SUPPORT »
Length: 5 minutes, 34 seconds
Goals give meaning and direction to life and are linked to well-being, health, and success across the life span. The process of helping young people set and pursue their goals is not only a central task of many mentoring programs, but it’s also a common activity in the many natural (meaning outside of a program context) mentoring relationships adults have with young people.
Length: 5 minutes, 57 seconds
Empathy is a foundational human trait that makes being in meaningful connections with other people possible. There are many different definitions of empathy, but all are rooted in the common notion of “walking a mile in another’s shoes.”
Length: 7 minutes, 34 seconds
“Be a Better Mentor: Effective Conversations about Behavior Change” is a tool designed to help mentors guide their mentees through positive behavioral changes. It focuses on developing effective communication strategies that foster understanding, motivation, and commitment to change.
Length: 3 minutes, 12 seconds
“Be a Better Mentor: Honoring Youth Voice and Building Power” is a tool designed to empower mentors in amplifying the voices of their mentees and fostering their sense of agency. It focuses on strategies that respect and elevate youth perspectives, promoting mutual respect and collaboration.
Length: 5 minutes, 9 seconds
A quick video on participating in activities around relationship building in mentoring relationships emphasizes the importance of engaging in shared activities to strengthen bonds.
Click the link below to download a guide to assist you in getting to know your mentee!
Click the link below to download a guide of fun activities you and your mentee could do together!
Click the link below to download a PDF of the ‘Life Cycle of a Mentoring Relationship”!
SUBSTANCE MISUSE INFORMATION »
Length: 3 minutes, 51 seconds
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is approximately 50 times more potent than morphine. Learn more by clicking the video link above.
Length: 4 minutes, 21 seconds
Vaping is when you use a small, handheld device (like e-cigarettes, vape pends or mods) to inhale a mist of nicotine and flavoring (e-liquid). Learn more by clicking the video above.
Length: 5 minutes, 13 seconds
THC is short for tetrahydrocannabinol. It is the molecule that is most associated with the cannabis plant.
When talking about THC we usually refer specifically to delta-9 THC, but tetrahydrocannabinols are a family of cannabinoids that share a similar molecular structure. Learn more by clicking the link above!
Length: 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Opioids and stimulants are distinct drug classes: opioids are pain relievers that depress the nervous system, while stimulants increase alertness and energy levels.
Length: 7 minutes, 50 seconds
Our region has been hit hard by opioid use, and right now harder than ever. Learn more from Misty at Metro Drug Coalition by clicking the link above.
Length: 6 minutes, 13 seconds
Metro Drug Coalition is proud to partner with local law enforcement to reduce the number of unused, unwanted, and expired medications in homes around our community. Disposing of your medications properly reduces the risk of substance misuse and environmental harm caused by flushing or throwing medications away improperly. Items dropped off are kept anonymous and no questions asked. Learn more by clicking the link above!
Length: 1 hour, 33 minutes
In collaboration with Metro Drug Coalition and Knoxville Police Department, we invite you to learn more information on how opiates and other related drugs are impacting our local area. The first half of the training will cover general information on opiates and the second half will cover how KPD sees the effects of the epidemic locally.
Length: 1 hour, 37 minutes
Learn more information regarding how to better serve our mentees who have been affected by the opioid crisis. The first half of the training will cover general information regarding opioids and the opioid epidemic. During the second half, discussion will be centered around Narcan training and distribution (the medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose). The training will also cover signs and symptoms of opioid misuse as well as how to combat stigma toward those dealing with opioid misuse.
Length: 1 hour, 7 minutes
Join us as we dive into Adverse Childhood Experiences and the relationship between ACEs and the development and impact of substance use disorders.
Length: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Join us as we dive into Addiction and Recovery in Adolescence. When working with youth it is important to have the knowledge and resources to best support their needs. In this training we will look at common trends with addiction and recovery in adolescence. Resources will be offered to compliment the work of mentors and staff.
Length: 9 minutes, 4 seconds
A short training on the difference between synthetic and authentic pills highlights the dangers counterfeit medications pose, especially to youth and adults. It explains that synthetic pills often contain harmful substances due to unknown ingredients and incorrect dosages. The training aims to educate participants on recognizing and avoiding synthetic pills to ensure medication safety and efficacy, protecting both youth and adults from serious health risks or death.
Length: 2 minutes, 57 seconds
This is a brief summary and visual guide on how and when to administer naloxone. Naloxone is a life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. It should be administered when someone shows signs of an overdose, such as unresponsiveness, slow or no breathing, or blue lips and fingertips
Length: 10 minutes, 50 seconds
A micro learning video on the short and long-term effects of opioids highlights the immediate and prolonged impacts of opioid use. The video aims to educate viewers on the significant dangers associated with both short and long-term opioid use.
Length: 6 minutes, 27 seconds
A micro learning video on effectively talking to youth about substance use provides practical strategies for meaningful conversations. The goal is to foster trust and open communication, helping youth make informed decisions and seek help if needed.
Click the link below to download a tool on how to discuss the opioid epidemic with a young person as a mentor in their life!
MENTAL HEALTH & COPING SKILLS »
Length: 10 minutes, 8 seconds
A quick video on navigating the topic of suicide with youth provides essential guidance for approaching this sensitive subject. It emphasizes the importance of creating a safe, open environment where youth feel comfortable discussing their feelings. Key strategies include using compassionate, non-judgmental language, actively listening to their concerns, and acknowledging their emotions without minimizing them.
Length: 4 minutes, 23 seconds
Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to the signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This 8-hour training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who many be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to appropriate care. Learn a few key points of what this training will include by visiting the link above.
Length: 3 minute, 39 seconds
Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way we respond to stress, however, makes a big difference to our overall well-being. Learn more by visiting the link above.
Length: 1 hour
We invite you to join our staff as we partner with the Metro Drug Coalition to learn more information regarding how to better serve our mentees who have been affected by trauma related experiences. We will hear from the Youth Initiatives Coordinator, Sydney Ross, and the Prevention Coordinator/Mental Health First Aid instructor, Jenifer Rodriguez-Acuna from Metro Drug Coalition.
Length: 1 hour 24 minutes
Please join us to gain a deeper understanding of the risk factors that may lead to youth substance use/development of a substance use disorder and how to have conversations with youth who may have a guardian in active addiction or have lost a loved one to overdose. We will also discuss the resources available in Knox County and how healthy coping skills serve as a protective factor against youth substance use.
Length: 1 hour 6 minutes
Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans, like you, are saying “Yes” to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor. You will leave this training will knowledge on the warning signs of suicide, how to offer hope, and how to refer someone to further support.
Length: 6 minutes, 22 seconds
A quick video on why mentoring relationships are crucial for helping youth overcome adversity and break cycles emphasizes several key points. It explains that mentoring provides consistent support, guidance, and positive role models, which can significantly impact a youth’s resilience and ability to navigate challenges. Mentors offer encouragement, practical advice, and a sense of belonging, helping youth develop coping skills and build self-confidence. The video highlights how these supportive relationships can disrupt harmful cycles, foster personal growth, and create pathways to better opportunities, ultimately leading to improved outcomes and a more hopeful future for the youth.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES »
Length: 7 minutes, 35 seconds
Since it began in 2000, the Knoxville-Knox County Grandparents as Parents Program has provided support, information, and referrals to community resources. There is no age or income requirement to join the free program. Learn more by clicking the link above!
Length: 54 minutes
Please join us to gain a deeper understanding of the risk factors that may lead to youth substance use/development of a substance use disorder and how to have conversations with youth who may have a guardian in active addiction or have lost a loved one to overdose. We will also discuss the resources available in Knox County and how healthy coping skills serve as a protective factor against youth substance use.
ACADEMIC RESOURCES »
Length: 4 minutes, 38 seconds
Postsecondary success rate is the percentage of high school graduates who either earned an industry-recognized certification, a higher education degree or continued their education two years after graduation. Learn why this is important by clicking the link above.
Length: 6 minutes, 33 seconds
A brief video on opportunities for youth and caregivers at Pellissippi Community College showcases a range of programs and resources aimed at supporting educational and personal development. It provides details on academic courses, vocational training, and degree programs designed to enhance educational and career prospects. The video also covers available financial support options, including scholarships and grants, to help make education more accessible.
ONLINE RESOURCES:
Learn to Be: Helps kids from underserved communities unlock their potential by connecting them with exceptional tutors online, for free. *Not all youth are eligible for this service
FAMILY/CAREGIVER SUPPORT »
Length: 7 minutes, 18 seconds
Watch this short role play on an example of active listening when a young person has made decisions that could negatively impact their future.
Length: 6 minutes, 3 seconds
A brief video on how to be a good mentee and build a strong relationship with a mentor offers key strategies for fostering a successful mentoring connection.
OTHER »
Length: 8 minutes, 27 seconds
Click the link above to hear from radio personality Hallerin Hilton Hill describe how the media shapes the younger generation and how mentors or organizations can help bridge gaps between music, media, and positive influence.
Length: 2 hours, 8 minutes
Join in on a condensed version of the Bridges out of Poverty training is designed to equip you by giving you a deeper understanding of poverty and what it is like for those facing it.
As a reminder, after you view or download any of these resources, please take a moment to complete a brief form at the bottom of the page. This form helps us understand which resources you have accessed and what you’ve learned. Your feedback is crucial for meeting grant objectives and supporting future mentor/mentee matches!
Please note you only need to complete one submission form per person. Be sure to check all the resources you accessed under the list. Thank you for visiting this page!