SVF Mentor Handbook

With the help of the Spokane Veterans Court and our fellow Mentors, we created a Handbook to help all Mentors serve their Mentees. This link takes you to that Handbook. Like other resources, this document is a work in process. It is a Handbook, not a Rulebook.

Mentor Handbook Updated: March 2017

The Handbook is a support document to the monthly Mentor Training.  This meeting provides Mentors with knowledge and skills in the areas they need in order to be effective as Mentors.

SVF Mentor Qualifications

A. Must pass criminal and personal background checks.

B. Must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Military Service: Currently serving or veteran with honorable or medical discharge.
  • Spouse of a military member or veteran.
  • Successfully completed/graduated from the VET Court program and satisfied a six-month waiting period after graduation.

C. Age is not a limiting factor.

VETERANS CRISIS LINE

1-800-273-8255

Press “1” for immediate help

SVF Mentor Application Forms

If you would like to work with the Spokane Veterans Forum, as a mentor, please download and complete the following forms and bring them to the forum.

SVF Policies

The Spokane Veterans Forum has established a Policy document in the spirit that all people participating in SVF meetings and events will encounter a respectful, safe and supportive environment. These Policies establish standards that apply to all SVF volunteers and veteran defendants (Associates) participating in or directly connected to meetings sponsored or supported by SVF.

March 2017 SVF Policies

SVF Spotlights

Dr. Bernice B. Gutman, Ph.D.

Former Staff Program Officer
Dr. Bernice B. Gutman, Ph.D., a founding member of the Spokane Veterans Forum from 2010 to 2018, assisted in the establishment of a mentoring, educational, therapeutic, and life enhancing program for military veteran defendants in the criminal justice system.

Dr. Gutman was a former Staff Program Officer followed being elected as a member and Board of Directors.

Her accomplishments included: organizing monthly “forum” programs at the Army National Guard Readiness Center; creating a network of professionals from local educational institutions, private and community business leaders to present therapeutic and life enhancing classes to veteran defendants; collaborating with Washington State University on a mentor training research and development project; and assisting in the development of the initial SVF website.

As a member of the Board Of Directors, Bernice Gutman assisted in the resource development of newly organized regional Veterans Treatment Court (VTC)s and mentor programs. Bernice created an archive system for all important SVF documentation and records to ensure the historical founding principles of SVF be passed to future Board and Staff of the organization.

The Staff and Board of Spokane Veterans Forum are thankful for the work and volunteer hours Dr. Gutman has given over the years to this organization. Our best wishes for Fair Winds and Following Seas.