Grand Area Mentoring holds info event for potential mentors on Jan. 31
As part of National Mentoring Month, Grand Area Mentoring is celebrating the commitment and contribution their mentors have made to the community. Since 2005, the organization has been working to match young kids with screened and trained responsible adults to improve the lives of students.
This mentor-mentee relationship proves impactful for both parties. The two meet for an hour each week to walk around town, go bowling, get ice cream, or simply sit and chat. These mutually enjoyable activities are a time for mentees to ask for guidance or share a moment about their day. And for mentors to offer advice or support.
The mentor and mentee are paired for at least a year, but program staff say that in a perfect world, the relationship would go way beyond that time. These longer relationships have more positive and lasting outcomes through building stronger friendships and allowing a student to feel safe and welcome to share.
Surveys taken by the organization say “100% of parents report that their children are happier since being matched with a mentor.”
This program has been a turning point for hundreds of young lives, building mentees’ self-esteem and emotional well-being, and creating a stronger desire to pursue education.
“The relationship is the intervention,” said Daniel McNeil, the program director of Grand Area Mentoring. The mentors help kids to combat issues in their lives through positive influence. By taking small steps, over time these large struggles seem much more feasible to overcome.
The mentees have the choice to participate in this relationship. They are often kids who struggle with bullying, academics, or social situations. But these mentees know their potential and want to kindle it. That’s where the mentors come in.
The organization’s website shares that mentors are ordinary citizens, as not all heroes must wear capes. Mentors should not be overly worried about perfection.
“If you show up, are ready to have fun, and care about our students, you will make a difference,” McNeil said.
After a careful screening process, training is free and mentors receive constant support—even if they’ve been doing it for years. McNeil said the basic requirements to become a mentor are: “kindness, responsibility, a clean criminal record, and at least a one-year commitment.”
“Mentors report improved knowledge of our schools and community, greater life satisfaction, and growth opportunities,” McNeil said.
On January 31, Grand Area Mentoring is hosting a no-commitment New Mentor Orientation from 5 to 7 p.m. at Margaret L. Hopkin Middle School (439 S. 100 E). This event will introduce attendees to what being a mentor looks like over some pizza and talk about how it’s one of the best ways to make a difference in this community.
McNeil said that there are about a dozen kids on the waiting list for a mentor, and he hopes this event will attract the right mentors for every wishful kid to build a positive friendship with. To RSVP to this event, text, call, or email: (435) 260-9646, grandareamentoring@gmail.com.
