Mentoring

Process of
becoming a mentor,
explained step by step

Introduction

You'll be contacted by a staff member with a brief intro to Journeymen, our programs, expectations, and next steps. After we've answered your initial questions, you'll be invited to join an M-Group meeting – a part of our larger mentor community circle.

Initial Connection

Have an intro call

Trial M-Group Session

Application

Once you've attended an M-Group session and determined if our culture, values, and mentoring style are the right fit, you'll be asked to complete our online application. You'll also need to complete a Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) background check.

Complete our application

Complete the WCPSS background check. We will send this to you.

Mentor Training

Once approved, you’ll attend 2–4 M-Group trainings (usually 2x/month) to deepen your understanding of our work. In these sessions, you’ll practice mentorship and facilitation scenarios designed to prepare you for a school or community-based mentoring circle.

Learn Journeymen mentorship and facilitation

Prepare to join in-school or extracurricular program

Join a Circle

Once ready, you’ll be placed in 1-2 of our circles and onboarded by a facilitator. Most of our mentors attend at least one M-group session per month and check in with staff every few months for ongoing growth and support. You'll also be invited to our periodic mentor-only socials.

Commit to mentoring in a program

Stay connected throughout the year

What Journeymen Mentorship Means

Becoming a mentor with Journeymen can be a powerfully transformative journey, itself. These are just a few of our heros' stories.

"Mentoring for me means creating space for vulnerability, emotional expression, and introspection through conversation and we have fun with the boys too. It’s not about having all the answers—it’s about modeling a healthier way to be a man: one rooted in our FIRE—Forging Independence, Resilience, and Emotional Intelligence.”
Ryan Marlow
Journeymen Mentor since 2023
“Mentoring is amazing from all the way around. Anyone who has lived a little and cares can do it. The skills and perspectives that make it effective can be easily taught by others with experience. So it is accessible and easily multiplied. The people receiving mentoring feel helped and cared for in a very natural and intuitive way. And we grow a wiser more compassionate community in the process. Personally, my mentors have given me gifts I didn't know how I would have gotten otherwise.”
John Craichy, LCSW
Journeymen Mentor since 2014
"Mentoring is about showing up — being real, being steady, and living with integrity so the boys know what that looks like. It’s about being the kind of man I needed when I was younger — not by coincidence, but with intention.

The real work happens one-on-one, in small moments. It’s when a boy starts to trust you, when he shows up because he knows you’ll be there. It’s knowing they depend on you — not for perfection, but for presence. Mentoring is about building that connection, being solid when the world around them isn’t, and showing them they matter — every time you show up."
Martin Isaac
Journeymen Mentor since 2023

Intentions

A poem by Journeymen
Mentor and Writer, J. Thomas

I’m here to build a community
The one I came from wasn’t one that really valued much Unity
My intentions are not to let anyone down
But not to get upset if nobody wants me around
Not let my insecurities beat me into the ground
It's ok if the things I say aren’t always profound
I want you to respect me and I wanna respect you
If you don't respect me I'm still here to protect you
Loyalty is important to me
I got your back and you got mine
That's all the support I need
I intend to be a better person everyday
Support the younger generation all I can in better ways
I've been mean to people and committed some violent acts
Been disrespectful to women thought I was paying 'em back
Cuz I was overlooked and dismissed for being fat
I used to walk by a mirror couldn’t see nothing but ugly
Now I walk by a mirror and say dang-it I LOVE ME
Trust me it took a lot of work through all of the shame
But I did it
And I can help you do the same
You can't run from your past you gotta face it
All the things I hated about me I re-arranged it
Either you can bury it deep or you can change it
I created a new version I freakin' made it
You can lead a horse to water can't make it drink
Offer man some food for thought but you can't make him think
My Intention is be an example of a man for the youth
Help you understand you need to stand in your truth
And not just saying words I'm here to be the living proof
And still show I'm working through the trauma of my youth
All I wanted was respect did some stupid things to get it
Then I became my own man one I no longer regretted
What I said truly comes through me all from purity
In this together each building block Building this community
Honesty Integrity and not to be nefarious
Honor our connections These are My Intentions

Personal Information

First Name

Last Name

Phone

Driver's License

Upload Image

Proof of Auto Insurance

Upload Image

Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

My mailing address is different

Yes

Mailing Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Employer

Employer Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Please list any other organizations you are currently involved with

References and Legal Record

Please list 4 persons who have known you for at least a year. For example:

Your current or past employer
A co-worker or friend
Your significant other or someone with whom you reside. If you live alone, someone familiar with your home environment.
Someone who has observed you interacting with children.

First Name

Last Name

City

Relationship

Phone

Years Known

First Name

Last Name

City

Relationship

Phone

Years Known

First Name

Last Name

City

Relationship

Phone

Years Known

First Name

Last Name

City

Relationship

Phone

Years Known

Release of Liability

Please read this carefully and check each of the following:

I acknowledge that I have received, and agree to follow all mentoring program Guidelines, Policies and Procedures, and understand that any violation will result in suspension and/or termination of involvement with Journeymen.

I understand that the Journeymen Mentoring Program is not obligated to provide a reason for their decision in accepting or rejecting me as a mentor.

I acknowledge that I may be transported by a mentor and/or Journeymen staff or representatives while participating in the Journeymen program, and that such transportation is voluntary and at my own risk.

I release the Journeymen Mentoring Program of all liability of injury, illness, death, or other damages to me, my family, estate, heirs, or assigns that may result from my participation in the program and hold harmless any Journeymen mentor, program staff, or other representatives, both collectively and individually, of any injury or illness, physical or emotional.

I certify that the information provided in the application questions is a complete and accurate statement of the physical and psychological factors that may affect my involvement in Journeymen. I agree to notify Journeymen should there be any changes in my health status. I authorize Journeymen to release this information to medical personnel in an emergency. I understand that Journeymen reserves the right to refuse participation to anyone, at their discretion, for medical reasons.

(Optional) I agree to allow the Journeymen Mentoring Program to use any photographic image of me taken while participating in the mentoring program. These images may be used in promotions or other related marketing materials.

I understand I must return a copy of my valid driver’s license and proof of current auto insurance coverage along with this application, and that any incomplete information may result in the delay of my application being processed.

By agreeing here, I attest to the truthfulness of all information listed on this application and agree to all the above terms and conditions.

Signature

Sign Here

Becoming a Mentor

Process of
becoming a mentor,
explained step by step

Introduction

Application

Mentor Training

Join a Circle

Get started by booking your introductory call

What Journeymen Mentorship Means

Intentions

Start Becoming a Mentor

Personal Information

References and Legal Record

Application Questions

Release of Liability

Get Involved

Rites of Passage

Becoming a Mentor

Process of becoming a mentor,explained step by step

Introduction

Application

Mentor Training

Join a Circle

Get started by booking your introductory call

What Journeymen Mentorship Means

Intentions

Start Becoming a Mentor

Personal Information

References and Legal Record

Application Questions

Release of Liability

Get Involved

Rites of Passage

Process of
becoming a mentor,
explained step by step