In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza speaks with Reverend Clarence Ford III, Program Director of the Crossroads Mentoring Program in Houston, Texas. They explore how mentoring serves as a form of discipleship and plays a critical role in youth development. Clarence highlights the power of building relationships within schools to bring hope to young people, and he emphasizes the importance of community partnerships and proper mentor training. Framing mentoring as a meaningful ministry, the conversation calls on listeners to take part in the collective effort to support youth and families through mentorship and service.

https://crossroadsmentoring.org/

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Takeaways:

• Mentoring is a form of discipleship.
• Building relationships is key to instilling hope.
• Hope can be restored by helping kids dream again.
• Partnerships enhance the effectiveness of mentoring programs.
• Meeting basic needs is crucial before mentoring can take place.
• Training is essential for mentors to be effective.
• Unity in diversity is important in community work.
• Mentoring can change the trajectory of a young person's life.
• Everyone has a role to play in mentoring and community service.
• Use your gifts to serve and build the kingdom.

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Mentoring and Discipleship
03:00 The Role of Mentoring in Youth Development
05:58 Building Relationships in Schools
08:56 Instilling Hope in Youth
12:01 The Importance of Partnerships
14:58 Training Mentors for Impact
18:07 The Call to Mentoring
20:59 Conclusion and Encouragement

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It would mean the WORLD to us if you would leave a 5 star rating on our pod so we can reach more people! Scroll down to the bottom the You Can Mentor page on Apple Podcasts and click "Write Review". On Spotify, go to our page, click the three dots next to the admin wheel, and hit "Rate Show". Thank you!

Learn more about all we do at www.youcanmentor.com

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza interviews Michael Morgan, founder of A Few Good Mentors, Inc. Michael shares his journey from being an FBI surveillance expert to becoming a dedicated youth mentor. The conversation explores the importance of mentoring, the challenges of recruiting male mentors, and the core values that guide their organization. Michael emphasizes the need for male role models in the community, the impact of mentoring on young lives, and the significance of faith in overcoming challenges. The episode concludes with insights on how to engage and retain mentors while addressing the evolving needs of today's youth.

https://afgmentoring.net/

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Takeaways:

• Mentoring is about caring for the next generation.
• There is a significant need for male mentors in communities.
• Succession planning is a crucial aspect of mentoring.
• Recruiting male mentors is a challenging but necessary task.
• Core values like SHIELDS guide mentoring efforts.
• Engaging mentors requires personal connection and support.
• Today's youth face unique challenges, including mental health issues.
• Education needs to be made fun to engage students.
• The impact of mentoring can be seen years later.
• Faith plays a vital role in the mentoring journey.

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Mentoring and Michael's Background
02:52 Transition from FBI to Mentoring Youth
06:07 The Importance of Mentoring and Succession Planning
09:00 Challenges in Recruiting Male Mentors
12:01 Core Values: SHIELDS and Their Significance
15:01 Engaging and Retaining Mentors
18:08 Addressing the Needs of Today's Youth
20:48 The Impact of Mentoring on Young Lives
24:01 Overcoming Discouragement in Mentoring
27:06 Final Thoughts and Resources for Mentors

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It would mean the WORLD to us if you would leave a 5 star rating on our pod so we can reach more people! Scroll down to the bottom the You Can Mentor page on Apple Podcasts and click "Write Review". On Spotify, go to our page, click the three dots next to the admin wheel, and hit "Rate Show". Thank you!

Learn more about all we do at www.youcanmentor.com

In this episode, Zach shares an exciting update for the You Can Mentor podcast! The show, which started four years ago with co-founder Stephen Murray, has been dedicated to helping faith-based mentoring organizations collaborate, grow, and equip themselves with best practices. Over time, they’ve created 264 podcast episodes, a series of books, and hosted the National Christian Mentoring Gathering.

Looking ahead, the podcast is shifting gears with a new focus on quality over quantity. Zach explains that, while the podcast will still feature some familiar voices, the goal is to bring in the most valuable guests—experts in the mentoring field—who can provide listeners with practical tools and insights.

This season will also see a new episode schedule: bi-weekly episodes focusing on expert guests who can share mentoring tools to help organizations thrive. Zach also acknowledges that they’ve interviewed many of their contacts over the past few years, so re-interviews might be coming soon to catch up on what’s new with past guests.

The podcast will continue to provide resources like consulting, coaching, and downloads to support faith-based mentoring ministries. Zach encourages listeners to reach out with any questions, guest suggestions, or ideas for future episodes.

As always, the You Can Mentor team is committed to equipping and encouraging listeners to serve kids from hard places and their families. Zach wraps up by expressing love and support for all the listeners in their mentoring journey.

www.youcanmentor.com