Join Me: Be a Mentor

As a child I was very fortunate to have a family who celebrated my achievements and supported my dreams. From being a fashion designer to the next Oprah Winfrey, and every career in between, my aunts and older cousins were always in my corner.
Unfortunately, not all young people have a solid emotional support system to encourage them. That’s why I’m considering becoming a mentor. Mentors offer support and friendship to young people by encouraging and nourishing mentees’ interests and strengths. Mentoring doesn’t take the place of parenting, but draws from your personal experiences to offer a positive example in mentees’ lives.
There are many formal mentoring programs throughout the country, including one of the most popular, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters. Many mentoring programs are based in schools and local non-profit organizations. One particularly interesting mentoring initiative is Health and Human Services’ Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program. Children of prisoners are often the forgotten victims of crime, but this agency partners with community organizations to ensure that these children can build healthy relationships with adults and avoid negative influences.
You can enjoy a variety of activities with your mentee, such as attending sporting events, movies, tutoring in academic subjects, or teaching them new hobbies. However I’ve found that the most memorable times with mentors are during one-on-one chats. Aside from a criminal background check and training, there are no rules for who can be a mentor. You don't have to fit a certain mold, however some characteristics that are helpful include:
• Being accessible
• Ability to empathize
• Being a good listener
If you have time to mentor, I encourage you to join me; you’ll never know how much it will mean to them (and you) in the years to come.
Tell us about your experiences with mentoring.

Post Written by: Marietta