SINCE 2006, ROGUE VALLEY MENTORING HAS PROVIDED MENTORS TO THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE & TRAINED HUNDREDS OF COMMITTED ADULTS AS MENTORS.
Rogue Valley Mentoring’s Mission is to Transform Entire Communities through the Mentoring of Youth
Research tells us that close relationships with caring adults fosters resiliency, and helps mitigate the effects of childhood trauma. By providing caring, consistent support to young people who need it most, mentors encourage positive youth development. Mentored youth enter adulthood knowing their self-worth, and ready to contribute to their communities.
Our Vision: Together, adults and youth create a community of mutual support, respect, and understanding.
Young Adults Who Have a Mentor Are:
55% more likely to enroll in college
78% more likely to volunteer regularly
90% are interested in becoming a mentor
130% more likely to hold leadership positions
We mentor young people, ages 9-24 years old, in Jackson County through mentoring circles and one-to-one relationships.
Rogue Valley Mentoring lets young people know that they are not alone.
A caring and compassionate ear shows them that they matter, that they are the experts of their own experience.
Rogue Valley Mentoring Values…
Youth Empowerment – at Rogue Valley Mentoring, we believe youth are the experts in their own lives.
Equity – at Rogue Valley Mentoring, we prioritize the importance of adapting our organization and programs as needed to provide relevant services to diverse populations.
Building Community Resilience – Rogue Valley Mentoring provides programs and services that help to reveal participants strengths and inherent ability to face and overcome challenges.
SERVING THE ROGUE VALLEY SINCE 2006
IN THE AUTUMN OF 2005:
a number of women in our community came together to explore ways of mentoring girls through their adolescent years. The Rose Circle was born, and the first circle occurred in the Fall of 2006. Initially The Rose Circle only offered mentoring circles for girls in Ashland. In September 2008, RVM opened our mentor training and mentor services to men and boys. In 2009, we added one-to-one mentoring to the services we offer. In 2016, we announced our new name and logo: Rogue Valley Mentoring.
TODAY, most of our mentoring circles take place in the schools, we still offer a 1-to-1 mentoring program, and we offer free community programs, such as our Youth Leadership Advisory Board!!
SOME PAST SPECIAL MENTORING PROJECTS WE’VE LAUNCHED INCLUDE:
OUTDOOR PROGRAMS—Camp Luna, Luna Day, Luna Journeys, and an annual Summer Camp at our Nature Center in Lithia & Driveway Fields.
YOUNG MOTHERS CIRCLES—circles of support for young moms.
YOU ROCK—teen variety shows to showcase the talent of area youth.
WILDFIRE SUPPORT CIRCLES—following the Almeda fires, Rogue Valley Mentoring mentors went to the Jackson County Expo Center to listen to those who were displaced form their homes.
DÍA FESTIVO—in 2021 & 2022, RVM provided personal gifts to over more than 70 local families, along with a day of celebration complete with free food & raffles, music, a community closet, great company, and fun games!
WHAT GIVES YOU STRENGTH ART EXHIBIT—You may have seen our traveling art exhibit at the Medford Library, Pollinator Project in Phoenix, and Talent City Hall in 2022 and 2023. At the Almeda Fire Anniversary Event in 2022, our staff asked the community What Gives You Strength? In response, we collected dozens of beautiful handprints, with short descriptions of what brings each person strength. We displayed this around the Rogue Valley throughout 2022 and early 2023; we look forward to sharing more community projects with you soon!
YOUTH LEADERSHIP ADVISORY BOARD (YLAB)—Jackson County youth, from 6th grade through college, meet to discuss current issues impacting them, share their experiences, and collaborate on a presentation to community decision-makers and members, Rogue Valley Mentoring’s Youth Panel, each Spring.
FREE TO BE CIRCLE — circle of support and peer connection for LGBTQIA+ youth.