Mentors have a big impact in community

Mentoring organizations, city councils, and civic organizations across Central Oregon are partnering through Better Together to celebrate National Mentoring Month with a regional campaign to recruit caring adults to volunteer as youth mentors. During the month of January, The Nugget will feature some organizations in Sisters and their volunteer mentors.

The articles will share the stories of Sisters youth mentors and hopefully encourage other local residents to volunteer as mentors. Mentoring opportunities are open to adults 18 years and older. To become a volunteer mentor or learn more about mentoring opportunities throughout Central Oregon, either contact one of the local organizations that will be highlighted this month or visit www.BetterTogetherCentralOregon.org.

Before becoming a mentor, there are a few things to understand about the role of mentoring. Most people have had a teacher, supervisor, relative, or coach who has been a mentor to them and made a positive difference in their lives. Those people wore many hats, acting as delegators, role models, cheerleaders, policy enforcers, advocates, and friends. Mentors may assume some of these different roles during the course of a relationship.

To be a good mentor, there are some necessary qualities to possess: a sincere desire to be involved with a young person; respect for young people; active listening skills; empathy; ability to see solutions and opportunities; and flexibility.

Mentoring relationships are a shared opportunity for learning and growth by both the mentor and their mentee. Many mentors say that the rewards they gain are as substantial as those for their mentees.

Mentors have been able to have fun and achieve personal growth and learn more about themselves. With the personal growth, their self-esteem is improved as they feel they are making a difference. Some mentors find that their mentor role enhances their relationships with their own children.

A good mentor is willing to take the time to get to know their mentee, to learn new things that are important to the young person, and even to be changed by their relationship.

Before investigating mentor programs that might be available, think about and identify your own interests and needs. Finding a mentoring program you are excited about and comfortable with can require some time and thought, but there is something for everyone. To help you decide which type of mentoring program is right for you, consider the following questions:

• How much time can I commit to being a mentor?

• What age of youth would I like to work with?

• Would I like to work with one child or with a group of children?

• Would I like to team with other adults to mentor a child or a group of children?

• What types of activities interest me? Do I want to help a youth learn a specific skill, pursue an interest, help with homework, or just be a caring adult friend?

• What mentoring location would I prefer?

While thinking about these questions, remember to be open and flexible to all the different mentoring programs and focus areas that are out there.

Youth development experts agree that mentorship is critical to the social, emotional and cognitive development of youth, whether it is an informal mentoring relationship or a formally agreed-upon relationship with specific guidelines. According to the national report, "The Mentoring Effect," young adults who had mentors as children are 55% more likely to be enrolled in college.

See page 21 for the stories of Signe Johnson and Greg Pozovich who serve as mentors at the Heart of Oregon Corps.