What if sharing some of what you've learned could help another couple find their way through a difficult season?
Our Mentor Couples walk alongside couples who want to strengthen their relationships by offering encouragement, practical tools, and the perspective that comes from experience.
You don't need a perfect marriage. You just need a willingness to share what you've learned.
Your marriage could help strengthen another.
WHAT DOES A MENTOR COUPLE ACTUALLY DO?
You are trained by Great Marriages to teach a set of skills to couples who are looking to strengthen their relationships. You don’t have to have all the answers!
LISTEN
Create a safe, supportive space where couples can talk openly about their relationship.
ENCOURAGE
Remind couples that challenges don't have to define their relationship or their future.
SHARE
Talk honestly about what you've learned through your own relationship.
TEACH
Use Great Marriages resources and curriculum to introduce practical relationship skills.
WHAT'S THE TIME COMMITMENT?
We know you have a life, a family, jobs, hobbies, and commitments. Mentoring is impactful without becoming overwhelming.
2 HOURS A WEEK
Approximately 60-90 minutes for your mentoring session and around 30 minutes of related preparation.
6–10 WEEKS
Most mentoring relationships meet once a week for approximately 6–10 weeks, but your schedule is up to you.
ABOUT 4 COUPLES A YEAR
Our Mentor Couples serve an average of four couples per year, although this can vary based on your availability.
TRAINING PROVIDED
You'll complete Great Marriages' Mentor Couple training before you begin, and there are quarterly ongoing support meetings.
YOU’VE ALWAYS GOT BACKUP
If you have questions, need advice, or don’t know what to do; our staff and your fellow mentor couples are always ready to help!
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We're looking for married couples who:
✓ Have been married for 10+ years
✓ Are committed to continuing to grow in their own relationship
✓ Are willing to listen without judgment
✓ Can share honestly about their own experiences
✓ Want to encourage other couples
✓ Can commit approximately 2 hours per week during a mentoring relationship
✓ Are willing to complete Great Marriages Mentor Couple training
Most importantly: We want couples who believe relationships are worth investing in!
HEAR FROM OUR MENTOR COUPLES
"We were nervous at first because we didn't feel like we had anything special to offer. But we quickly realized that simply being willing to listen and share our own experiences made a difference."
— Great Marriages Mentor Couple
"Mentoring another couple has actually strengthened our own marriage. The conversations we have with the couples we mentor often lead to conversations between the two of us."
— Great Marriages Mentor Couple
"You don't have to have a perfect marriage to help someone else. You just have to be willing to be real."
— Great Marriages Mentor Couple
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do we have to be marriage experts?
No! You don't need a counseling degree or professional credentials. Great Marriages provides training and resources. Your own experience as a married couple and the willingness to help others is the most important thing you'll bring to the relationship.
What if we've had some difficult seasons in our marriage?
We all have. In fact, your experiences may help another couple realize they're not alone. We aren't looking for “perfect” couples. We're looking for couples who are committed to their own relationship and are in a healthy enough place to support someone else.
Are we counselors?
No. Mentor Couples are volunteers, not therapists. Your role is to listen, encourage, share your experiences, and help couples learn and practice relationship skills.
What if we don't know what to say?
You don't have to have all the answers. That's why Great Marriages provides training, curriculum, and ongoing support.
What if we feel like the couple we are mentoring is going through more than we can help with?
It happens, and we will refer couples to professional counselors or other community resources.
What if we know the couple who signed up?
Great Marriages works with Mentor Couples to make appropriate matches based on availability and other considerations. We'll work with you to make sure the commitment is a good fit. You get to pick what couples you work with!
Where do we meet?
Mentor Couples and participating couples typically meet at our office in downtown Sheboygan.
Does it cost anything to become a Mentor Couple?
No! Great Marriages provides a one-day training and all of the resources you need to get started.
Have questions first?
Email programs@great-marriages.org or call our office at 920.783.6142.