|
Bridges Mentoring Program has an urgent need for mentors
by Warren Haacke, Press-News Reporter
Do you want to make a positive, life long impact on the life of a child? One opportunity to do so is through the Mitchell County Bridges Mentoring Program.
Rae Anne Havig, program coordinator, reports that over 22 young children from the ages of 6-16 throughout Mitchell County are on a waiting list needing mentors. Eleven children in Osage still need mentors and eleven others in the communities of Riceville and St. Ansgar are also on a waiting list.
"The mentors we have right now in Mitchell County are doing such a tremendous job with their children," said Havig. "It's really a shame we can't find mentors for those on the waiting list, because it's such a positive experience for both the mentor and the child."
The Mitchell County Bridges Mentoring Program started in 1999. The program provides volunteer mentoring to youth from Mitchell County. The mission of the program is to "increase self-esteem and social skills of children and youth by matching them with a caring adult."
The program receives funding from grants, several North Iowa businesses and organizations and many generous private donations from other individuals and civic organizations within the county.
A person who volunteers as a mentor for the program is matched with a child and spends time weekly with their youth in a variety of activities designed to fulfill the mission of the program. During the year, group activities also take place that the mentors and youth may take part in.
Mentors are only asked to spend one hour weekly with their child, although many mentors voluntarily choose to spend more time weekly with their youth. You simply need to be over 18 years of age and be willing to listen and be a friend for your child.
"We have gotten so many calls from families, schools and town officials commenting on what a positive difference the mentor has made in the life of their child," said Havig. "The child's school grades normally get better, family relationships improve, discipline problems diminish and the children have a much more positive attitude about themselves."
Presently 73 matches of youth and mentors are taking place in Mitchell County. 49 matches are in Osage, 13 in Riceville and 11 in St. Ansgar.
With the permission of Havig and the Mitchell county mentors, the following people have agreed to be acknowledged as Bridges Mentors. If you see someone on the list that you know, please call them and ask about their mentoring experience if you are interested in the program.
Osage - Ann Adams, Derrick Adams, Heather Adams, Jan Adams, Howard and Mable Buerckley, John and Brenda Cramer, Dorothy Crooks, Marlin and Kelli Duren, Deryk Evens, Ross and Ann Grafft, Staci Herrick, Kim Hinrichsen, Lisa Jahnel, Brittany Jennings, Donna Jennings, Tony Jennings, Marjean Kramer, Sandy Krause, John LaCoste, Velda LaCoste, Kris Lewis, Gregg and Linnae Maakestad, Ashley Machin, Troy and Deanna Machin, Ann Michels, Amanda Moritz, Shelia Moritz, Terry Muller, Steve and Mary Nicholson, Dawn Oberfoell, Andie Olson, Ed O'Connor, Roy Ott, Cathy Penney, Becki Small, Bruce Small, Dave Stanley, Lowell Tesch, Annette Uker, Lori Valasek, John Vance, Tracy Walk, Jana Walsh, Larissa Weber, Carol Wells and Neil Wubben. In Riceville, mentors are Marlis Bechtum, Marsha Counsell, Clark and Shary Ebert, Ken and Shirley Ferguson, Judy Grimm, Tim Hemann, Paula Hemann, Che' Oulman, Debbie Oulman, Berdean Ring, Annamae Roethler and Nancy Theis. In St. Ansgar, mentors are Duane and Eva Corson, Shirley Crippen, Joni De Maris, Mike and Tracey Fossey, Kevin and Lynn Kirchgatter, Sharon Kleckner, Tony and Amy McFarland, Steve and Mary Jane Michaels, Rich and Joyce Neerhof, Cindy Pink and Troy and Sandy Powers.
January is National Mentoring Month and an initial mentor training session is open to all people in Mitchell County interested in the program. The meeting will be held on January 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage.
"Many times the child just needs someone to talk to," said Havig. "We have children from all kinds of family situations as far as parenting and from all walks of life. People just don't realize what kind of huge impact they can have on the life of a child just by being there for them."
If you feel that your heart is telling you to get involved as a mentor, plan to attend the meeting on January 28 or call Havig at 641-732-3566. You may feel more comfortable calling one of the area mentors first and speaking with them about their experience.
Fortune Magazine states that the number one indicator of success for a child is a good relationship with a caring adult.
Governor Chet Culver and the First Lady are advocates for mentoring and encourage every Iowan to become a mentor. "Time spent with a child is not only an investment in that child, but an investment in every Iowan," said Culver. "The First Lady and I, along with all Iowans, praise each mentor for their service and encourage others to join them in sharing their skills as mentors to invest in Iowa's bright future."
"The need for mentors is definitely there," said Havig. "I am positive that if people would get involved, it would be a life-changing experience for them and their child."
Story created Jan 22, 2008 - 11:37:23 CST.
|
