The Enhesa project continues to create meaningful opportunities for mentorship and growth at the local level. Announced in November, the YMCA’s partnership with Enhesa has focused on building engagement programmes in key locations worldwide.
This collaboration has resulted in a strong relationship between Enhesa volunteers and young participants in Toronto, Canada.
Enhesa volunteers went beyond their original work plan in December to offer one-on-one virtual mentoring sessions to five youth interns. These hour-long sessions, scheduled to accommodate each participant’s availability, provided a personalised approach to mentorship and professional guidance.
A tailored mentoring experience
During the sessions, participants explored:
- Career pathways aligned with their interests and strengths
- Comprehensive post-secondary opportunities, including college, vocational training, and alternative education options
- Essential life skills for personal and professional success
- Strategies for navigating career transitions and preparing for post-secondary education
The interns said they valued these one-on-one mentoring sessions, which offered insights and advice tailored to their unique needs and goals.
Guidance and reflection
The interns shared positive feedback on their experiences with their mentors:
- “I genuinely gained a lot of knowledge from my meeting with Vikram. We talked about my career choices, university options, and employment. Vikram answered all my questions with a lot of detail and gave great advice from his experiences and insights.”
- “My check-in with Andy went really well. We talked about the upcoming challenges and benefits of university. He gave me advice on managing tasks, staying organized, and avoiding burnout. It was a great conversation that left me feeling confident about my future!”
- “The check-in with Ayanna was very fun and educational. I asked questions about setting goals, which helped me personally and for a workshop I’m hosting. She gave amazing tips on separating work from personal life, especially when working from home.”
- “My meeting with Vikram was great. He taught me how to balance my professional and personal life, including when it’s okay to say no to tasks during vacation and refer them to a colleague if needed.”
- “The meeting with Rhea unfolded beautifully, feeling more like a shared journey than a formal discussion. We talked about time management, self-care, setting boundaries, navigating career choices, and being authentically yourself regardless of the audience.”
Stay tuned for more updates from the Enhesa project and other mentorship initiatives that are making a difference worldwide.