Quakers have a long and rich tradition of mentoring, and the Philadelphia area provides a deep network of area Friends both on and off campus to draw mentors from.

Whether students are looking for an experienced elder or a Young Adult Friend who has recently gone through similar transitions, the Quaker Affairs Office is offering the Haverford community opportunities rooted in the Quaker mentoring tradition to engage with others on matters of spirituality. We will do our best to find resources that support the interest of each individual student.

Goals:

• To pair interested students one-on-one with members of the wider Haverford or Philadelphia Quaker community,
• To encourage deeper and more intentional relationships outside of the academic classroom,
• To nurture a space for spirituality in the business of college life,
• To support students in their personal, academic, and professional development.

Who might be interested in a mentor?

The program is open to anyone on campus - not just Quaker students - with an interest in discussing or looking for support in aspects of Quakerism and spirituality. Interested mentees could include:

• Someone who just wants an occasional chat about spirituality over tea,
• A student seeking an in-depth exploration of a certain aspect of Quakerism,
• A freshman looking at how their Quaker faith can play a role in college life,
• An upperclassman, exploring a particular field, who wants advice from a Friend in combining faith with a career,
• Someone curious about combining Quakerism with another faith tradition,
• A Seeker who knows very little about Quakerism and is interested in learning more,
• An experienced Friend interested in a deeper understanding of the historical roots of Quakerism.

The Quaker Affairs Office will do our best to find a mentor or spiritual friend who can meet those needs.

How does the program work?

1. An interested student submits a form to let us know what they are looking for in a mentor.
2. The Quaker Affairs Office contacts potential mentors who match the qualities that the student described.
3. Once a pair is established, students and mentors negotiate specific meeting dates, times, and locations. (Pairs can meet anywhere from twice a month to just once or twice a semester, depending on their availability and interest).
4. On a case by case basis, the Quaker Affairs Office can support off-campus transportation costs.
5. At the end of the program, students are encouraged to fill out a brief evaluation form designed to help the Quaker Affairs Office to improve the program.

Submit the interest form