Peer/Mentor Support Connection
The Peer Mentor Program provides one-on-one, weekly, phone-based support for people living with brain injury and their loved ones. If you or a family member has experienced a brain injury, you can understand how important it is to be able to talk with someone who "gets it." Our volunteer mentors get it.
We are currently looking for individuals who wish to help others work toward the "new normal" that may be necessary.
Immediate mentor needs include individuals who:
- Have experienced a "mild" brain injury – particularly individuals in their 40s and 50s;
- Live outside the twin cities metropolitan area;
- Have a spouse with a brain injury;
- Have a young child or an adult child with a brain injury.
In order to become a mentor, you must fill out an application, pass a background check, provide two personal references, attend a training workshop and sign a commitment to maintain confidentiality. If you have any questions or would like an application packet sent to you, please contact the Association at 612-378-2742 or 800-669-6442 and ask for someone in the Peer Mentor Program or peermentor@braininjurymn.org.
Support is one of the most important factors in recovering from any sort of trauma. One of the ways the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota offers support for those who have sustained a brain injury and their family is through the Peer/Mentor Support Connection program.
The Peer/Mentor Support Connection program is managed by the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota as a way to connect people who have recently sustained a brain injury with those who have already been through the experience themselves. Specifically, the Peer/Mentor Support Connection matches trained volunteers (Mentors) with individuals with brain injury or their family members (Peers).
What is a Peer?
A Peer is an individual with a brain injury or a family member who possesses a willingness to have a Mentor's support, encouragement and ideas. Peers share challenges and accomplishments with their Mentors to gain a better understanding of the process of adjustment to life with brain injury.
For up to one year, Peers and Mentors connect by phone or e-mail at mutually convenient times. Mentors are interviewed, screened, and trained before being matched with Peers to provide the best possible experience for both. Efforts are made to match Peers with Mentors who have similar backgrounds or circumstances.
What is a Mentor?
Mentors are volunteers who have a personal experience with brain injury; a Mentor can be an individual with a brain injury, a family member, partner or friend of an individual with a brain injury, or a caring community member. Mentors are interviewed, screened, and trained before being matched with Peers to provide the best possible experience for both. Efforts are made to match Mentors with Peers who have similar backgrounds or circumstances.
Once a Mentor is trained and a match is made, the Mentor provides confidential, consistent support to their Peer through phone and e-mail. Mentors help their Peers deal with the challenges associated with brain injury and celebrate their accomplishments, while gaining skills and confidence to take charge of their own future.
Download a copy of the Peer/Mentor Support Connection information flipcard
Would you like more information about the Peer/Mentor Support Connection program? Call 612-378-2742, 800-669-6442 or e-mail us.