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Mentoring Programs Change Lives
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | March 16, 2009
Mentoring was in the news this weekend, or at least, in the Parade magazine tucked into my Sunday Oregonian. With so many people losing jobs (and gaining extra time) I thought this article was a timely and upbeat reminder of how making a difference in one life, can create positive outcomes in unexpected ways.
A two-page spread, Mentoring Programs Change Lives, by Kevin Sessums , illustrates perfectly one of the key reasons for offering this course and resources to support mentors and potential mentors. As the article subtitle states, when one person mentors, two lives are changed. But it is not always easy.
Sessums’ article is his story, about his relationship with one (lucky) boy, but it is also the story of how his time with his mentor has enriched his life. And, it is an open invitation for YOU to get involved in a relationship which has so much potential for so much benefit.
You Can Mentor A Child
Millions of young people want or need mentors, and mentoring groups encourage people to donate time according to their own comfort level. Many programs are flexible about scheduling and offer support to mentors in the early stages.
“I think for a lot of people there is a bit of trepidation—even fear—in establishing a mentor relationship,” says Judith N. Vredenburgh, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the nation’s largest mentoring organization. “It’s not a natural one at first. It usually takes three to six months for trust to develop. That’s what we are here for—to offer structured support for these relationships in the early days—with the safety of the child our most important concern.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters serves 255,000 children through its 394 affiliates across America. Its successful Mentoring Brothers campaign enlists African-American men in its programs. Though 35% of the boys who are mentored are African-Americans, only 15% of mentors are.
In this and many other mentoring programs, children are matched with adult volunteers—after background checks and a careful interview process—based on location and common interests. Many matches develop into lasting friendships.
How to Give of Yourself
Mentoring a child can have a powerful impact. It doesn’t require a financial commitment but rather a willingness to give your time and share your experiences. Here are some organizations to consider.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America bbbs.org
The oldest mentoring organization, with more than a century of service, it serves children 6 to 18.
Foster Grandparent Program seniorcorps.gov
Works with Americans ages 60 and older who are able to mentor a child for up to 40 hours a week.
Mentoring Children of Prisoners: Caregiver’s Choice (mentoring.org/caregiverschoice
Brings together mentors and children whose parents are incarcerated.
For other mentoring opportunities in your area, go to mentoring.org
Topics: How to Help, Mentor Stories, Resources for Mentor |
May 29th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Peer relationships have a big impact on children while they’re growing up and into their teen years. One article I found through our resources was ‘Peer Helping Relationships in Urban Schools’. Some of the ways peers can go about helping one another is by tutoring peers, either of the same age or younger, or in groups or one-on-one. Students can identify with their peers more easily than they can with adults. Also, by tutoring, the person doing the helping is also gaining more skills and knowledge.
Peer tutors also help teachers, giving them the extra time to help other students individually. Students in programs such as these have consistently reached higher levels of academic achievement. It seems that kids helping kids has its advantages.