I have been a mentor with Friends for Youth in Denver for just over three years. I started mentoring because I wanted to get more involved working with and helping out junior high kids. I actually tried several ways of doing this, but finally got directed to Friends for Youth (FFY). And they coordinated me into a mentoring friendship which I have been a part of for over three years. The girl I mentor is now ten years (almost eleven and she can’t wait to be twelve, she tells me often).
At FFY, their goal is to facilitate long-term relationships between positive adult role models and youth. They do this through one-on-one mentoring, group mentoring, and special programs.
Sometimes I don’t feel like I’m doing much as a mentor. I don’t feel like I make much difference. Sometimes we go out to lunch, we go to a movie, I help her with her homework, or we visit a museum or park. But some days when I hang out with her and she’s had a really bad time at school, or I hear about the inconsistencies in her life that she can’t control, I’m glad I can be consistent.
But to tell you the truth, truly, one of the main reasons I stick with it is because I’m quite selfish. The girl I mentor is a life-blood to me. She lifts my spirits; we laugh together; I look forward to our time together; I’ve liked getting to know her family.
Why should you mentor? Because it will change the life of a young person and it will also change yours.
Rather than in the comments saying how great it is that people mentor (it is great… but we already know this), instead talk about what mentoring organizations you know of in your area, how you have mentored (even if it is in a small way), or how do you plan to make a consistent difference in the life of one young person? Let’s inspire each other.
written with lub from megan to you on 8.28.2010 | leave a comment?
I’m blogging… at least for the next couple months at friendstoindia.wordpress.com. Join me there. And then return here later where I just might start blogging again. :)
written with lub from megan to you on 6.5.2010 | leave a comment?
I don’t know why I blog anymore. I’m having a blog identity crisis. This is why I haven’t posted here in so long. I keep thinking I’ll post, and then say to myself “why am I writing anything?”
So maybe you should tell me - why should I blog? This might help. It might help you, too. Why do you do it? What’s at the core of this whole writing about you on the web thing? Is it really helpful to people, to me, to you? What have been the most interesting posts you’ve read out there in the world?
So, I know that there are random readers of this blog out there… would you like to hear more? What would that be? Want me to read something of yours? Let me know. I suppose I write this blog for you as well as for me. If it’s not interesting and thought provoking for you, then I’m not sure I want to do it.
So… ponder with me. Thanks for your thoughts in advance.
written with lub from megan to you on 4.8.2010 | look! 2 comments
worthwhile placing here. search is really wonky, but the options for display are nice. Shall I make my own portfolio here? hmmmm.
I love etsy. I love their error message almost as much.
Sometimes I look at the pictures on this site and say “wow!” outloud
This is the gal who designed the "what would you do if you didn't have to do it perfectly" notecard
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