Posts Tagged ‘Mentor’

Mentoring in America

Friday, January 27th, 2012

January is the start of so many good things:  a new year, a renewed surge of volunteers, and National Mentoring Month. It is important to celebrate our mentors: those who change our lives by being a good listener, setting boundaries, providing support and criticism, and celebrating milestones with us.Hands As we wrap up the month, lets look back at this year’s presidential proclamation for inspiration on ways to carry the spirit of National Mentoring Month throughout the year!

Presidential Proclamation–Mentoring Month

    Across our Nation, mentors steer our youth through challenging times and support their journey into adulthood.  During National Mentoring Month, we honor these important individuals who unlock the potential and nurture the talent of our country, and we encourage more Americans to reach out and mentor young people in their community.

    The dedication of mentors has helped countless young men and women succeed when they might have otherwise fallen short of their full potential.  Mentors can provide a steady presence and share their valuable knowledge and experiences.  Even brief amounts of quality time set aside by these compassionate adults can have a lasting impact on the development of a child.  Mentors can also support the lessons of parents and teachers by encouraging students to complete their schoolwork and by instilling enduring values of commitment and persistence.  From coaches to community leaders, tutors to trusted friends, mentors are working with today’s youth to develop tomorrow’s leaders.mentor

    We know the difference that a responsible, caring adult can make in a child’s life.  Effective mentoring programs can result in better school attendance, positive student attitudes, and a reduced likelihood of initiating drug and alcohol use.  Across the Federal Government, we have provided resources to expand mentoring opportunities for America’s young people.  We are increasing mentoring efforts in Native American and rural communities and are working to ensure our investments are coordinated, effective, and focused on those most in need.  To help build healthy families and communities and provide our youth with strong role models, I launched the President’s Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative.  First Lady Michelle Obama and I have also established mentoring programs within the White House, pairing staff with young men and women in the Washington, D.C., area.  For information and resources about mentoring opportunities, I encourage all Americans to visit:  www.Serve.gov/Mentor.

    Many Americans have realized their promise because a mentor encouraged them to reach for new heights and guided them along the path to achievement.  The contributions of these engaged adults extend beyond the lives they touch and have a lasting impact that strengthens our country and our future.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2011 as National Mentoring Month.  I call upon all public officials, business and community leaders, educators, and Americans across the country to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

 The president   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

Yesterday was National Mentoring Day. What did you do to thank your mentor? How will you celebrate the support system mentoring provides throughout the year?

Related Articles

How to Be a  Mentor

Ten Ways to Celebrate National Mentoring Month

National Thank Your Mentor Day

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10 Ways to Celebrate National Mentoring Month

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

There are so many amazing things happening in January and National Mentoring Month is one of them! From school aged children to young adults, a mentor is valuable to a child’s growth and development and can help leave an impression on someone for the rest of their lives. By simply giving just an hour each week you can develop a meaningful relationship that can encourage and inspire a child or young adult for their entire life.

  1. Become a mentor in your community. Organizations such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the United Way offer a plethora of opportunities for anyone interested in mentoring a child. You can also mentor young adults. There are many recent grads and college-aged students who need guidance in looking for jobs or making important life decisions. 
  2.  Learn more about mentoring: Do your research and read inspiring stories about the impact of mentoring. Hopefully, this will inspire you to mentor a youth in your community.
  3. Partner with a mentoring organization. There are organizations solely dedicated to providing mentors for youth. Conduct research to seek these organizations out.
  4. Join “I Am a Mentor” Day.
  5. Think about the mentors in your life and post a tribute to them online. Simply thanking your mentor is very fulfilling for both you and your mentor. Reflecting on the impact of your mentor will also inspire you and teach you about the values of mentors.
  6. Read the latest research and find resources on mentoring. Learn about the statistics and the social impacts of mentoring. One study reported that 52% of youth reported that having a mentor helped significantly with skipping school.
  7. Serve your community on MLK Day of Service by deciding to become a mentor. Martin Luther King, Jr. day is a national service day. Contribute to this day of service by becoming a mentor.
  8. Make a donation to a mentoring organization in your community. If you are unable to devote your time to mentor a youth, monetary donations are appreciated.
  9. Go to YouTube on Thank Your Mentor Day™ (January 26) and make the National Mentoring Month videos the most popular of the day. Help spread the word about this amazing cause!
  10. Explore ways to help children succeed academically through mentoring.   A mentor can always provide a child with the extra “push” to excel academically. 

We hope you enjoyed these useful tips for National Mentoring Month and are ultimately inspired to become a mentor!

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National Thank Your Mentor Day

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

The month of January is National Mentoring Month.  Today, January 25th, is National Thank Your Mentor Day.

We asked our staff who their mentors were and were moved by the memories they shared about their mentors.

Kellie Bentz, Director, Disaster Services

Leslie took me under her wing as one of her mentees in her mentee group made up of other young professional women leaders in New Orleans. She has consistently supported me since that point by talking  me through personal struggles, work struggles and has gone out of her way to ensure she makes time for me even when she has prior commitments. I feel truly blessed to have someone as committed to my personal and professional growth as she has been.

PJ is a very memorable mentor. He is the reason I landed in New Orleans. He saw something inside of me I could not and kept on believing in me. PJ has consistently challenged me in ways that have frustrated me and other ways that have helped create more joy in my life. While we aren’t as in frequent communication as we once were, he is always there when I need to pick up the phone and ask advice.

My father is one of the most instrumental mentors in my life. I can consistently count on him to answer his phone and give me the advice or words I need to hear at that moment. Everything from gender differences in the work place to developing business plans he has been there to talk me through and give advice. I continue to be amazed by his general grounding nature and ability to look at everything in a positive light…he never lets me dwell in negativity…one of my favorite sayings of his is “smile and the world will smile with you” …I am blessed to have my father in my life to help me continue grow personally and professionally. I realize now how unique it is to have my father as one of my greatest mentors and for that I am blessed.

Megan Motlagh, Office Volunteer

I don’t remember exactly how I felt on my first day of kindergarten—excitement or anxiety, bravery or fear of the great academic unknown—but I do know one thing now, very well. I know that I cannot thank my kindergarten teacher enough for the wonderful foundation she built for the rest of my academic career. Ms. Toni McCray was knowledgeable and nurturing, and beyond her position as a kindergarten teacher, a wonderful and valuable mentor. She encouraged an environment steeped in appreciation and understanding of the value of learning and of my fellow classmates, a classroom where even the softest six-year-old voice (I admit, this was me) was heard and respected.

I will never forget the impact she had on my education and on me as a person; I visited her classroom every year (give or take a year or two) afterward for twenty years, up until her retirement last year. While the chairs I sat in those twenty years ago got smaller every year, my gratitude for all that my kindergarten teacher had instilled in me in that very first year of school has grown exponentially. Thank you for being one of the most valuable mentors I’ve ever had, Ms. McCray.

Meridith Rentz, Chief Operating Officer

My mentor, Rick Smith, “adopted me” as a mentee over 15 years ago, and even though we no longer work directly together, he’s always one of the first people I talk to when I need advice or grounding or even just a good “talking to”.  There are three main things Rick taught me that I use pretty much every single day:  1) how to take a super-duper complex problem that seems impossible and break it down into “doable pieces”; 2) how to challenge, support, push and develop the people on your team; and 3) family and friends always, always come first….no matter how important your job is.  He also taught me how to sail – but I don’t get to do that every day!  When I mentor others, my personal goal is simple – “be like Rick Smith”.

Who is your mentor?

How have they influenced your life?

Write a tribute to your mentor at the Thank Your Mentor Day website.

You can find opportunities to be a mentor and have an impact on someone’s life at your local HandsOn Action Center.

Read more from Kellie Bentz:

Read more from Meridith Rentz:

  • My Resolution for 2011: Party Like A Rock Star At Work
  • 20 Reasons Why Volunteering Is Like Beer

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How to Be A Mentor

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

This week NBC is hosting Education Nation, a nationally broadcast, in-depth conversation about improving education in America and we’re participating by sharing resources for volunteering in schools.

One significant way to help young people is to serve as a mentor.

A mentor acts as a guide to the larger world outside of school and home by helping students make positive life choices, opening their eyes to new ways of thinking about the world, setting good examples, and talking about all the possibilities life has to offer.

Mentors are a special type of volunteer, committed to helping students academically, socially, mentally, and physically.

Mentors are committed to spending the time and energy necessary to help young people by being a role model.

Becoming a mentor is a big commitment and requires more time than an ordinary school volunteer.

Mentors:

  • Listen effectively. In many cases, the mentor is the only person that the student has identified as one who will listen to his/her concerns and problems.
  • Help the mentee set short and long-term goals.
  • Help the mentee identify the positive things in his/her life.
  • Convey that there is always “hope” and that the student’s situation can be turned around.
  • Help the student develop personal interests outside of school.
  • Help the student become involved in all aspects of school.
  • Are sincere, committed, and punctual for scheduled meetings.
  • Develop a level of trust with the student.  The trust relationship established between the volunteer and the student is the foundation for a successful relationship.
  • Are a positive role model.  The student may not have any others in his/her life.

Mentors have many possibilities to positively affect a student’s life.

They may help guide or direct a young person toward thoughtful decisions, help the youth practice new skills, provide positive reinforcement, or listen to concerns and interests of the young person.

Here are a few ways to be a great mentor:

Help students to help themselves

There is a big difference between offering solutions and helping a student discover his/her own options.

Helping students develop positive decision-making skills will allow them to become independent and self-sufficient.

They will develop leadership skills and realize they are indeed in control of their future.

Help students with their problems

A mentor is there to assist with problems a student may be going through.

These may include: self-confidence, conflicts, attendance, peer to peer communication, or goal setting.

This doesn’t mean that the volunteer plays the role of counselor, social worker, or parent.

Volunteers are there to offer support, encouragement, and to give positive reinforcement.

This may require talking about a problem, asking lots of open–ended questions, listening, and giving the student some time and space to work it out for him/herself, while gently guiding them along.

Help students build self-confidence

Students are often unsure of themselves.

They do not know who they are or what they want to achieve.

Everyday students learn about the world around them.

They balance cultural issues between home and school while contemplating the past and future.

When volunteers care about their students and make them feel important, they can encourage students to take on new habits, ideas, and expectations.

Use statements to help build self-esteem:

  • I like how you handled that!
  • I see that you are making a real effort or trying very hard.
  • I know you can do this!
  • What are your thoughts or ideas about this?

Help students develop interpersonal skills

Mentors should model appropriate communication and behavioral skills to the mentee.

Students often do not know how to properly interact with adults who may look, speak, or act different from their peers.

A volunteer can teach little things such as looking someone in the eyes when speaking to them, speaking clearly, practicing good manners, and appropriately addressing adults.

Remember, students will learn by watching and interacting positively with role models.

To get more information or to find a project, visit HandsOn Network’s Education Nation site.

For more ways to get involved in schools, visit NBC’s Education Nation site.

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