Leave a legacy. Jim Henson once wrote, "My hope still is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here." I couldn't agree more. That is why I wanted to start this blog. To leave a legacy. To be better than I was yesterday. To make a difference.
When I was a kid I used to tell everyone I wanted seven kids. I wanted a big family just like my own. I have always loved kids. I was the neighborhood babysitter and volunteered at my local elementary school reading to kids. I also tutored kids at an elementary school in Minneapolis. I just turned 31 and I still like to babysit. I suppose since I don't have my own kids yet I like to surround myself with other kids. I have always thought about being a mentor. I have had a lot of practice being a role model (or trying to be) to my three younger sisters. Although I might not have always set the best example, I have always thought of myself as a very grounded person with good values and my head on straight. Since I have a few extra hours in my week to give to someone else, I started looking into organizations I could mentor with. I looked into Big Brothers/Big Sisters, but in my search found something that fit me a bit better.
"All it takes is all you've got." That is the motto for the organization called Bolder Options. It is an activity based mentor organization that provides one-on-one mentoring along with education on leading a healthy lifestyle, tutoring, and leadership development. I am paired up with a thirteen year old girl for a year. Throughout that year we meet once a week, train for three 5K races, and attend volunteer and education events. I couldn't think of a better organization to mentor with. Not only do I get to be a positive role model to a teenager that might not have that in her life, but I also get to spend time with her getting in shape. We get free memberships to the YMCA, free tickets to sporting events around the city, volunteer opportunities and plenty of other "free" opportunities.
I have been mentoring my girl for three weeks now. The first week I was a little nervous; she was pretty shy and didn't really feel like talking. Luckily all I do is talk, so after asking plenty of questions during the 30 minute car ride, she finally started to open up. By the second meeting it was like we had spent hours together.
Our second visit we went to the Y to go swimming. She shared with me she learned to swim last summer but had never jumped off a diving board. She was toying with the idea of jumping off but said she was scared. She asked me to go first - I leaped off showing how easy and fun it was. She walked to the end of the board and then said she was just too scared to go. I told her it was ok and we would try again next week. She hopped back in the pool only to watch a 5 or 6 year old jump off the board. Her answer was, "if he can do it, I can do it." I reassured her she could do it and that I would be in the water to help her. She hopped up on the board and ran right off it it. Seeing her come up out of the water smiling was the greatest feeling. She told me how much fun it was and how she was so glad she did it. For the rest of the night all she wanted to do was jump off that diving board. I felt a sense of pride knowing I helped her conquer her fear. It was a small victory for her, but a great one for me. I feel like I gained her trust and can't wait to see what else we can accomplish.
I have heard from several people how great mentoring can be. Most of the time the mentor gains more from the program than the mentee. I hope we both gain something. For me, I wanted to be forced out of my comfort zone, pushed into a life that I did not grow up in. I was lucky enough to grow up in a family where wants and needs were always met. I wanted to be exposed to a lifestyle that was unlike my own. My girl is currently in foster care living in a modest house in an ok neighborhood. Although it is only 25 miles from my house, it is a world away from my daily life. It's amazing what a few miles can do. I feel very fortunate to provide a stable, weekly hour or two for a teenager that doesn't have much. I am looking forward to the upcoming year where I know both of our lives will change.
After getting started with Bolder Options, I was paging through my local educational catalogue and found opportunities with the local high school to mentor. They pair up a person in the business world with one or a group of students to provide direction for a new mandatory Capstone project. I thought it would be fun to lend my business expertise with a group of high school students. Since talking is a strength of mine, I thought it would be a fun experience to work with high school students, while sharing my passion for my career. I haven't been paired up with a group yet, but I am excited to get started.
To check out mentoring opportunities in your area:
www.mentoring.org
Bolder Options
www.bolderoptions.org
Making a difference, one day at a time.
M
Wow, Mags, that sounds awesome! Great post! It's so nice for me to come here and visit, so I can read up on how and what you're doing. What a wonderful thing you're doing for that young girl! You WILL change her life, I know it. Can't wait to hear about the group of high school kids you get paired up with! So proud of you! :)
ReplyDelete