Mentors Help Troubled Youth
Topics: mentoring, Volunteering
Anonymous user Thu Jun 14, 2007 13:59:04 PDT
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The Mentor Team is a diverse group. College students, working folks and retirees serve as role models to our community.
The programs they deliver are also diverse. Mentors scour the community for guests who are willing to speak to the kids about anything that might help them as they recover and make positive changes in their lives.
"We design our programs to be educational, inspirational, informative and at times fun," explains long-time mentor, Sandy Lynch. "We have had representatives from the armed forces, business colleges, a paramedic, a massage school, inspirational people from the community, etc. Our speakers have addressed subjects such as anger management, life skills, manners, drug & alcohol abuse, AIDS, dangerous relationships, how to fill out job applications, cooking, art, music and crafts."
Gwen Corona has been a mentor for several years. Since she favors programs that involve exercise she taught the girls to salsa dance and has arranged for yoga lessons, endurance training, and belly dancing. Instructors from the Bahiyya Almas Belly Dance Company are frequent and favored guests. Leticia Lopez is pleased to know that the girls really appreciate and benefit from mentor night. Some of the girls have told her that the mentors are the one thing that they can look forward to each week. Alex Hernandez, a Cal State Bakersfield College student, is in charge of the Mentor Team. She would like to see more volunteers in the program. Also, anyone who would be willing to share their expertise with the girls would be welcomed. Volunteers and guests must be at least 18 years old. Please contact the Probation Department Volunteer Services at 868-4165. "I want the girls to realize that anyone in any situation can and should give back to their community," Webb said. On a recent Saturday, the mentors along with some wards delivered their blankets and pillows to the shelter. They were warmly greeted by the ladies at the shelter who spoke from their hearts to the girls about the consequences of their choices. "It’s an experience that will stay with the girls for a long time," commented mentor Patty Martinez. "In addition to exposing the girls to things that they may not otherwise learn about, we are showing the kids that there are better things for them in the world and that there are people in the community who genuinely care about their welfare."
Sarah Webb is a program coordinator with the Probation Department. Her interest is in volunteerism. She has the girls write letters to the troops in Iraq, Valentine cards for the VA hospitals & nursing homes and make fleece blankets and pillows for the Rescue Mission.
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