The Spovangelist

January is National Mentoring Month, who knew?

Mentoring is proven to be one of the most effective ways to make a positive difference in the life of a young person, often having a higher time-to-impact ratio than tutoring, scholarship programs, and other group-based after school activities.

If you’re getting a little bored hanging out with the same old friends all of the time, mentoring can be a meaningful and satisfying way to enrich your social experience. It’s like having a pen pal, only more rewarding and fun. With just a few hours each month you can help a young person build self-confidence and realize their individual potential.

Most people have heard of Big Brothers Big Sisters, but other less known programs are worth considering as well. One example is Project MOVE, which facilitates mentoring for youth with disabilities ages 16-21. The transition from high school into the adult world of independence can be full of unknowns and challenges. Mentees greatly benefit from being encouraged and supported in exploring their interests abilities and goals. Another program, called Mentoring Children of Promise, focuses on children ages 4-18 who have incarcerated parents.  The goal of MCP is to provide ongoing support that helps break the cycle of inter-generational incarceration. Without mentoring intervention, about 7 out of every 10 such children will go on to experience trouble with the law.

Other local programs and consortium include:

• Spokane SCORE – mentoring for small-scale entrepreneurs
• SCC MOSAIC – multi-cultural student support
• Inland Northwest Mentoring – promotes over 20 local agencies

Sadly as is the case with organ transplants, the demand for mentoring often exceeds supply. Unlike organ donation, however, mentoring is easy to provide and can sometimes have just as crucial of an effect. Here are some eight easily dispelled misconceptions that stand in the way of meeting Spokane’s mentoring needs:

1. Mentoring is a one way street.
On the contrary, most mentors are surprised at the many things they learn from their mentees.
2. A mentoring relationship can only be face-to-face.
While personal time is a key component of many mentoring relationships, quality time can also be shared through email, letters and other forms of contact.
3. Mentoring is too time consuming.
While mentors generally get out of the experience what they put into it, there is an emphasis on quality over quantity. Just a few hours a month is all it takes.
4. Mentors have a certain personality type.
Some of the most successful mentoring is done by unexpected people. Reasons for mentoring are as diverse as the people involved.
5. Mentors must be old and “successful”.
Mentors are just everyday people who enjoy sharing their knowledge and have a desire to see youth become successful participants in our community.
6. Developing a mentoring relationship is complicated.
Many mentoring activities are already a part of your daily life. Mentoring programs have training and resources available to make your mentoring experience as intuitive and comfortable as possible.
7. Mentors can only interact with one person at a time.
As long as a commitment is made mentors can work with as many mentees as they like.
8. Mentoring doesn’t need to be made explicit.
While society would certainly benefit from from a heightened “culture of mentoring” in general, a special commitment to at-risk mentees helps build a lasting relationship of trust.

If these answers still aren’t enough to interest you in mentoring, consider the eloquent words of our outgoing Commander in Chief:

“People say, ‘How can I help on this war against terror? How can I fight evil?’ You can do so by mentoring a child; by going into a shut-in’s house and say I love you.”

—George W. Bush, Washington D.C., Sept. 19, 2002

Tags:   Breaking Boundaries · Community · Non-Profits3 Comments