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What’s the perfect way to spend a sunny summer day? A trip to OMSI might be nice; or a day at the pool. How about a day at the rock gym, the zoo, or maybe fishing at Blue

How can you choose when there are so many wonderful opportunities? The kids in the David Douglas Mentoring Project with IRCO (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization) don’t have to.

Every week throughout the summer, kids who are part of this one-on-one after-school mentoring program (and many of their mentors as well) get the chance to leave their familiar school and neighborhood and take a field trip.

For many of these kids, some new to Portland, some new to United States, many with limited opportunities to experience all that our city has to offer, these trips open a door to a wider world. And, they are just plain fun – for everyone.

Giving kids a chance to see the world beyond the familiar and known is a primary goal for the mentors who work with these kids. As I talked with pairs of mentors and mentees - over a wonderful lunch (provided for everyone) on a patio, overlooking the Willamette, at OMSI, this theme was repeated again and again. Mentors work with kids to introduce new ideas, new possibilities, and new visions for what their mentees can become. And to experience the opportunity to make a difference – in their own lives as well as the lives of the kids they work with.

Seng and Salim talk about so many things, including college and how Salim, who is “very smart” and speaks five languages, can get there. This pair shares many interests and characteristics, as well as the natural understanding that comes with their shared immigrant experience.

Seng, who was born in Thailand, understands some of the challenges that Salim (born in Russia) faces, but he also demonstrates, by his simple presence in the life of his mentee, that Salim’s life is filled with potential for success and education. And he spends one afternoon every week with Salim, helping him to get there. Seng had a mentor when he was younger. His mother and his sisters were mentors. “I grew up on it,” he says. Lately, when he knew that “something was missing” in his life, he began to work with Salim. It was a pleasure to watch the two of them together.

Julie and William are another wonderful pair. William was especially happy on this day because he loves science, and especially OMSI. Julie is an educational assistant at the school where William will go next year. This is an added benefit – having a built-in  friend at this new school will ease the transition and help him feel welcome.

Julie, whose own kids are growing up, is as enthusiastic as William when they describe the  interesting science experiments Julie comes up with for their after school time.

There were many more pairs on this lovely day – sharing time, sharing fun, and sharing birthday cupcakes in celebration of Jaime’s big day. I want to thank you all of you for sharing your stories with me, so that I can share them on this blog.

DO YOU HAVE A  MENTOR STORY? Share yours.

Topics: Mentor Stories |

One Response to “Summer Fun for Mentoring Pairs”

1. Oregonian Story: Xploregon helps youths discover another side of Oregon — and themselves | Making Connections Says:
   July 21st, 2008 at 9:58 am

   […] Summer Fun for Mentoring Pairs […]

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