How specific can the matching criteria get in terms of shared diagnosis, geographic proximity, faith, etc?

While many mentees join MentorCONNECT in hopes of being able to match with a recovery mentor whose profile closely conforms to specific criteria such as a shared diagnosis, close geographic proximity, a shared faith background, a closeness in age, or other factors, we have found that the more specific a prospective mentee's match criteria are, the less likely it is that the aspiring mentee will be able to make a mentoring match on MentorCONNECT.

However, we do get new mentor volunteers quite frequently, and our mentors come in with past experience with all different types of eating disorder issues, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and eating disorders not otherwise specified. So with patience and diligence on the mentee's part, often a successful and satisfactory match can be made in time.

The one criterion that is strictly enforced on MentorCONNECT is that all approved matches must be same-gender only (cases of LGBT individuals who wish to make a mentoring match with a mentor of the opposite gender will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.)