Text Messaging to Keep in Touch with Mentees
R U TXT MSGING TU KTWM?
Are You Text Messaging to Keep in Touch with Mentees?
In this day and age almost everyone carries a cell phone. Many of the youth in our programs use text messaging almost exclusively to keep in touch with friends and family. Text messaging can be a great way for program staff and mentors to keep in touch with mentees.
Program Staff
Program staff can use text messages to remind mentees (and mentors) about upcoming trainings, group events, fun opportunities, or check-ins.
Mentors
Text messaging is a great way for mentors to suggest ideas for activities, remind mentees about scheduled meetings, or to send a word of encouragement. Sometimes mentees will feel more comfortable texting than talking on the phone. And bonus when a mentee's cell phone runs out of minutes they often can still send text messages!
Texting is also a great way to stay in touch with text savvy parents or guardians. While texting does not replace a face-to-face interaction or phone call, it can be a great supplemental communication method for mentoring relationships.
Consider sharing these text messaging resources with your mentors and program staff.
AT&T TXT 2Connect with Teens (PDF)