Future Leaders Accelerator

Empowering young women ages 14–20 to rise and lead with purpose

Learn More Mentor Resources

Program Overview

Nova Sorella pairs high-potential young women starting as a high school junior up to 20 years old, with accomplished women mentors. Through structured leadership development, personal growth experiences, and community service, mentees gain the skills, relationships, and confidence to become future leaders.

Duration

12 months

Commitment

5–8 hours monthly

Program Pillars

Leadership. Sisterhood. Service. Success.

Program Components

1 Leadership Accelerator Workshops

Monthly live workshops led by trained facilitators and guest experts.

Focus areas:

  • Effective communication
  • Conflict resolution
  • Public speaking mastery
  • Decisive problem-solving
  • Advocacy and confidence building

Experiential approach:

  • Girls rotate leadership roles during activities
  • Group challenges tied to real-world scenarios
  • Mini-presentations to strengthen speaking skills

2 One-to-One Mentorship

  • Each mentee matched with a Nova Sorella woman mentor
  • Monthly mentor check-ins focused on goals and personal development
  • Guidance around academics, social relationships, and future planning
  • Quarterly mentor-mentee feedback and progress reflection

Matching priorities:

  • Career/interest alignment
  • Personality and leadership style compatibility
  • Cultural and lived-experience awareness

3 Future-Ready Skills Labs

Hands-on sessions that introduce real life success skills.

Examples:

  • Personal finance and budgeting
  • Time management and organization
  • Digital literacy and safety
  • Resume basics and career exploration

Partner-led career spotlights offer direct access to professional pathways.

4 Community Impact Projects

  • Small groups identify a community need
  • Design and implement a service project
  • Present outcomes at the annual Nova Sorella Leadership Showcase

This builds empathy, teamwork, and accountability while creating visible change.

5 Sisterhood & Wellness Circles

Safe space for healing, confidence, and belonging.

  • Mental wellness check-ins
  • Confidence and self-advocacy activities
  • Peer bonding experiences
  • Celebrations of personal wins

You are shaping strong leaders who do not feel alone in their journey.

6 Elite Ambassador Track

(Optional for top-performing mentees)

  • Leadership responsibilities within Nova Sorella
  • Opportunities to facilitate workshops
  • Serve as program representatives at events
  • Eligibility for Ambassador Scholarship awards

This gives your high achievers a clear incentive to stay engaged and deliver excellence.

Program Expectations

Mentees:

  • Attend 80% of workshops and meetings
  • Participate in all group projects
  • Demonstrate positive character and accountability

Mentors:

  • Maintain regular communication
  • Provide guidance and encouragement
  • Model the Nova Sorella values

Parents/Guardians:

  • Support participation and safety requirements
  • Attend designated family engagement sessions

Recognition & Scholarships

  • Certificates of completion
  • Leadership Showcase awards
  • Ambassador Scholarships for outstanding participants

Impact Goals

By the end of the program, participants will:

  • Increase confidence in their leadership abilities
  • Strengthen communication and professional skills
  • Build a supportive network of accomplished women and peers
  • Complete at least one measurable community project

12-Month Leadership Curriculum

Month 1: Orientation + Leadership Identity

Focus:

  • What leadership looks like today
  • Personal strengths and growth areas
  • Mentor introductions and goal setting

Deliverables:

  • Leadership strengths profile
  • Individual Goal Plan (IGP)

Month 2: Communication with Confidence

Focus:

  • Effective verbal and nonverbal communication
  • Public speaking warm-ups and micro-presentations

Deliverables:

  • One 2-minute speech delivered to the cohort

Month 3: Conflict Resolution + Emotional Intelligence

Focus:

  • Managing disagreements and difficult situations
  • Understanding emotions in leadership

Deliverables:

  • Role-play solutions for common peer conflicts

Month 4: Decision-Making + Critical Thinking

Focus:

  • Smart decision frameworks
  • Ethical leadership scenarios

Deliverables:

  • Written decision strategy for a real personal challenge

Month 5: Future Readiness + Career Exploration

Focus:

  • Career pathways and purpose
  • Resume foundations and transferable skills

Deliverables:

  • First draft resume or future opportunities plan

Month 6: Financial Empowerment

Focus:

  • Budgeting, credit basics, and financial wellness
  • How money choices impact goals

Deliverables:

  • Personal budget aligned with IGP

Month 7: Digital Leadership + Personal Branding

Focus:

  • Digital safety, professionalism, online reputation
  • Building a positive brand

Deliverables:

  • Updated LinkedIn or digital portfolio page

Month 8: Community Needs + Project Planning

Focus:

  • Identifying community issues
  • Project planning and teamwork skills

Deliverables:

  • Community Impact Project Proposal (group based)

Month 9: Project Implementation

Focus:

  • Leadership in action
  • Managing tasks, roles, and deadlines

Deliverables:

  • Documented progress milestones and mentor check-ins

Month 10: Advocacy + Influence

Focus:

  • Speaking up for change
  • Raising awareness through storytelling and messaging

Deliverables:

  • Public advocacy piece (short video, speech, or campaign post)

Month 11: Leadership Showcase Prep

Focus:

  • Presentation skills
  • Celebrating growth and outcomes

Deliverables:

  • Completed showcase presentation and project reflection

Month 12: Leadership Showcase + Transition

Focus:

  • Present Community Impact Projects
  • Recognize achievements
  • Introduce Alumni and Ambassador opportunities

Deliverables:

  • Certificate, mentor feedback review, updated IGP for next year

Ongoing Monthly Elements

  • Mentor meetings
  • Wellness + Sisterhood Circles
  • Peer leadership rotation
  • Attendance and performance tracking
  • Incentives for progress and involvement

Nova Sorella Mentor Handbook

Future Leaders Accelerator - Empowering young women ages 14–20 to rise and lead with purpose

Welcome Message

Thank you for stepping into the role of mentor. You are joining a network of women committed to shaping a generation of confident, capable young leaders. Your presence, guidance, and consistency will leave a lifelong imprint on your mentee.

Your impact is not measured by perfection. It is measured by showing up and caring.

Program at a Glance

  • Duration: 12 months
  • Mentor Time Commitment: 2–4 hours per month
  • Core Components:
    • Monthly mentorship meetings
    • Support in goals and leadership development
    • Guidance during Community Impact Projects
    • Participation in the Showcase (Month 12)

Mentors model: Leadership. Sisterhood. Service. Success.

Mentor Role + Expectations

Mentors agree to:

  • Meet with mentee at least once per month (virtual or in person)
  • Help mentee develop and track their Individual Goal Plan (IGP)
  • Share constructive feedback and celebrate wins
  • Report concerns to program staff
  • Maintain appropriate boundaries and professionalism
  • Encourage participation in all workshops and events

Mentors do not:

  • Provide transportation unless approved
  • Offer financial gifts over small encouragement items
  • Intervene in family matters outside program guidance

You are a guide and advocate, not a parent or fixer.

Core Mentorship Objectives

By the end of the program, mentees should:

  • Believe in their ability to lead
  • Strengthen life and communication skills
  • Grow networks beyond their immediate environment
  • Complete a service project that creates impact
  • Understand their future pathway options

Your influence helps activate these outcomes.

Guidelines for Building a Strong Relationship

  • Start with trust, openness, and patience
  • Ask questions that spark reflection
  • Allow mentee to lead conversations over time
  • Keep communication consistent and documented
  • Celebrate progress often
  • Encourage decision-making instead of giving answers directly

You are helping her discover her own voice.

Monthly Mentorship Meetings

Each meeting should include:

  • Check-in on school, life, mental wellness
  • Review monthly workshop takeaways
  • Track progress on personal leadership goals
  • Support with any assignments (resume, project work, etc.)

Suggested Format:

  • 10 minutes: Relationship building
  • 20 minutes: Goal and skill growth
  • 10 minutes: Next steps + encouragement

Communication Standards

Approved communication channels:

  • Email
  • Text messages (Guardian included)
  • Program communication app
  • In-person meetings in public locations

Emergency protocol:

  • Contact guardians and program staff immediately if safety concerns arise

Confidentiality:

  • Conversations remain private unless harm is involved

Boundaries & Professional Conduct

Mentor relationships must always uphold:

  • Respect
  • Personal safety
  • Clear expectations
  • Zero discrimination or harassment

Mentors model the standard we want mentees to embody.

Support System for Mentors

Available resources:

  • Monthly mentor-only check-ins with program team
  • Coaching tips and conversation prompts
  • Access to workshop materials
  • Mental health referral guidance if needed

You will never navigate challenges alone.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Join us in empowering the next generation of women leaders through mentorship and structured leadership development.

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