The Reintegration Support Network (RSN) Mentor Program is a volunteer opportunity for adults 18+ with a high school diploma or GED who have at least one year in recovery from substance use and/or mental health challenges. The Mentor Program recruits, screens, trains and provides scholarships to mentors to become North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSSs) and/or Recovery Coaches.
Before receiving a scholarship, candidates participate in a 60-90 day Mentor Program Candidate Internship. During the Mentor Program Candidate Internship, mentor candidates will participate in RSN Orientation, receive internal training from RSN staff pertaining to mentoring, and can co-facilitate RSN Life Skills Groups alongside RSN staff and certified mentors. In exchange for training and supervision, mentors provide peer support to participants through co-facilitation of our Life Skills groups and one-to-one mentoring. In doing so, mentors gain valuable experience serving the unique needs of youth and emerging adults in their community. Mentors also serve as community ambassadors providing outreach and education.
Mentor Program ApplicationRSN mentors partner with the RSN Program Director and Mentor Program Coordinator, RSN Staff members, and community partners to provide youth and emerging adults with a sense of belonging and the skills and capacities for self-advocacy, healthy relationships and positive engagement in the community. RSN youth participants are in varying stages of recovery from substance use disorder and/or mental health issues and/or experience in the juvenile court system.
In conjunction with the overall efficacy of peer-based support, RSN mentors are specially trained to meet youth where they’re at by utilizing :
- SAMHSA CORE Competencies: recovery oriented, person-centered, voluntary, relationship-focused and trauma informed practices
- Active and Compassionate listening techniques
- S.M.A.R.T goal setting
- Motivational interviewing skills
