Resolve to help a young person in the Hoosick Falls community this year – be a mentor! By committing to donate an hour each week to the MentorWorks program in Hoosick Falls your 2009 New Year’s resolution can make a significant difference in the life of a child. Mentoring also benefits your community, your school and your own life.
MentorWorks is a new program designed to help youth in the Hoosick Falls community develop their talents and skills through one-on-one partnerships with adults. Recruitment of volunteer mentors has begun for this meaningful and rewarding program, and the goal to have at least ten mentoring matches in place when the program kicks off in January 2009 is nearing completion. However, more volunteers are needed as there are currently more potential mentees than volunteer mentors. Eventually there will be at least 35 mentoring matches made through the program.
Mentors provide friendship and encouragement to young people from all types of homes and all social and economic levels. They help youth develop their strengths and talents and reinforce the positive efforts made by other significant adults in their lives, such as teachers and parents. By supporting them during times of personal or social stress and providing guidance for decision making, mentors help children and youth become responsible men and women.
People from all walks of life can be mentors. Men, women, senior citizens, young adults, business people, stay-at-home parents, grandparents – all are welcome to apply. Juniors and Seniors at Hoosick Falls Central School are also invited to be mentors. No special skills are needed; just an interest in supporting a child or teen in a safe, supervised setting and a willingness to give at least an hour a week of your time throughout the year.
Mentees are young people in fourth through eighth grade at Hoosick Falls Central School or St. Mary’s Academy. Matches will be made based on common interests, schedules, gender, desired meeting location (the child’s school or the Youth Center) and compatibility. Both the mentor and mentee (along with his or her parent or guardian) must approve of the match.
Mentoring activities can include homework help, enrichment projects, games or simple conversations on common interests. The weekly meetings generally last about an hour and program staff will be onsite to provide supplies, suggestions and assistance. Materials on mentoring and training opportunities are also available to help the mentoring matches become successful. In addition to the weekly meetings, MentorWorks will host monthly gatherings for mentors and mentees at the Youth Center and will organize a series of field trips throughout the year.
To learn more about being a mentor, please contact Aelish Nealon at the Youth Center, 518-686-9050.