A structured program with a difference

The D2S:Mentor Volunteering Program

D2S Mentors: Expectations

What D2S:Mentors@2024 Say

Everything was great for my first time and was a VERY well run mentorship program.

Great to work with the youth- they’ve been very inspirational and are all very bright students with great ideas and passions.

Making the students be more confident and reminder of how not easy it is in your teenage lives! Learning from them on how I can better engage with various culture and age groups.

It was extremely fulfilling ... gave me the courage and resilience to move forward in the philanthropic space knowing my efforts, however small or silly, will always be appreciated.

What D2S:Mentors@2023 Say

“Once we reach a certain age, “growth” is not something we experience personally too often or obviously. That’s why being a Mentor has made me feel so much more “alive”! At times, it is sometimes not so clear who is really showing whom a new way of seeing the world — truly transformative in so many ways!”
— Lawrence, ex-CFO

“Whilst I hope I managed to empower the students to 'dream big and work hard', it was also an extremely fulfilling experience for myself. Not only was there self-discovery, it gave me the courage and resilience to move forward in the philanthropic space knowing my efforts, however small or silly, will always be appreciated. So let's embrace compassion and build a better world together!”
— Sally, solicitor

How we support D2S:Mentors

Pre-Program Preparation

We walk mentors through the Foundry syllabus to ensure mentors feel ready and confident to facilitate the program and coach their student teams.

Executive Coach Training

Our Executive Coach supports mentors on student facilitation skills, student mental health awareness and soft skills development that are transferrable to mentors’ own careers.

Career Coach Sharing

Mentors get to learn about what a career coach does, do’s and don’ts of interacting with students, and the Code of Conduct of a career coach.

Mentor Code of Conduct

Our Mentor Code of Conduct is for the benefit and protection of mentors and mentees and applies to all volunteers acting as mentors of D2S and/or its programmes.

Our volunteering program is structured, focuses on mentor effectiveness, and fosters a sense of belonging among like-minded individuals.

D2S Mentors are volunteers who play an important role at Dream2Story. To our Target Beneficiary Group, Mentors take up an active role as co-pilots as they navigate the transition between school and work.
The most visible part of Mentor deployment is in the Foundry programme. However, Mentors continue to be a core support for as D2S builds an alternative pathway eco-system, and co-create diverse and rich definitions of success with our next generation.

Safe and Trusting Environment

Mentors shall create a safe and trusting environment in order to establish rapport with mentees. This includes modelling honesty and vulnerability; acknowledging mentees’ emotions, difficulties and achievements, and validating their experiences and perspectives. Mentors should avoid making assumptions, judgements, comparisons or criticism. Be empathetic so that mentees feel seen, heard and valued to have the desire to grow.

Professional Behaviour

Mentors shall at all times maintain professional standards of behaviour, act ethically and with respect and integrity, and demonstrate commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment. Mentors should set firm and clear ground rules with mentees at inception to improve efficiency, and ensure mentees understand and share the common vision of success.

Context Name

Mentors shall respond to mentee’s learning and development needs as contemplated by, and within the scope of, the relevant programme. Mentors shall create an environment in which mentees can focus and have the opportunity to learn, flourish and reflect. Mentors shall refrain from carrying out the work for the mentees.

Boundary Management

Professional boundaries shall be maintained throughout the entire mentoring programme. Mentors shall operate within the limits of their own competence, recognise scenarios where such competence may be exceeded and if necessary refer the mentee to a more experienced mentor and/or seek professional advice via the programme or teacher lead.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Mentors shall take a proactive privacy approach and treat personal information of mentees with confidence, courtesy, inclusion and respect. Unless otherwise required by law, no personal information received by Mentors in the course of a programme shall be divulged without consent from the information provider. Confidentiality shall be maintained beyond the termination of the mentoring relationship. If a mentor believes that there is a potential risk of harm to his/her mentee, or a crime has been or may be committed, the mentor shall promptly report to the programme or teacher lead and relevant authorities.

Conflicts and Violations

Mentors shall refer any unresolved issue, conflict (actual or potential, financial, commercial or otherwise) or conduct violation to the programme or teacher lead. Mentors shall also adhere to other applicable guidelines or code of conduct under the relevant circumstance.

D2S:Mentors: Who are they?

Mentors are employed in diverse range of sectors

24% are in finance
21% in consultancy
10% in legal
Others include energy & infrastructure, media, education and medical services

Mentors take up a wide range of roles within their organisations

14% are HR professionals, recruiters and consultants respectively
14% are entrepreneurs
Unsurprisingly almost all are professionals

Mentors are a good mix of senior and junior individuals

55% have over 10 years work experience
27% have more than 5 years coaching experience

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What they GIVE

Time commitment – a few hours per week over a 3-month period (in terms of Foundry)
Personal commitment – to mentees’ success
Learning commitment – to understand and deliver the relevant D2S programme as intended
Commitment to follow D2S:Mentor Code of Conduct

What they GET

Unique and structured volunteering experience beyond one-off, event-type opportunities
Training sessions targeted at working with and mentoring the younger generation
Opportunity to build valuable lasting relationships with beneficiaries and stakeholders within D2S eco-system
Chance to be part of a diverse community that shares a unified purpose
Chance to share and exchange own knowledge and experience
Opportunity for continuous development and self-discovery

Mentor Training session #3

Psychological First Aid skills, with Hong Kong Red Cross

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Mentor Training Session #1

Introduction and Syllabus walkthrough Lead teachers experience sharing

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Mentor Training Session #2

Youth development and mental health sharing, by professionals