Making a difference
January 8, 2007, North Platte Telegraph (Nebraska)

By JOHN LINDENBERGER

Mentoring is not a new concept. Throughout history, successful individuals have mentored their fledgling counterparts. Some of the more notable mentor-protégé pairs include Plato and Aristotle, Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot or Andrew Carnegie and Napoleon Hill.

Used by large corporations and educational institutions for years, this relationship-building tool is now being used to benefit youth through a variety of mentorship programs.

“One of the really cool things about North Platte that a lot of communities can’t say is that every youth, kindergarten through 12th grade, has the opportunity to have a mentor,” said Melissa Garcia, mentoring program coordinator for Community Connections.

There are four youth mentor programs in North Platte. High Expectations and Across Ages, both offered through Community Connections, work with kids in kindergarten through 6th grade.

Other local programs include TeamMates for kids in 6th through 12th grade and the Teen Parents program offered by Youth for Christ, which works specifically with teenage parents.

Because each program works with a different group of kids, Garcia said they don’t compete with each other. Each program also has a common goal, to develop relationships between kids and adults.

“Mentoring as a whole is a pretty amazing thing,” Garcia said. “I think all of us can look back in our lives and think of someone who, formally or informally, shaped who we are today.”

To commemorate the benefits of mentoring for youth, January has been designated as National Mentoring Month. Now in it’s sixth year, the event provides an opportunity to draw attention to mentoring and the need for mentors.

Garcia said a mentor models what it means to be a successful adult. By doing that, the kids gain many benefits such as improved family relationships, better performance in school and a decreased risk of juvenile delinquency.

The origins of modern mentoring programs are found in the corporate world, yet it has grown to encompass a number of different organizations and institutions that work with people of all ages.

“It’s always been happening,” said Kristen Grimes, mentoring outreach coordinator for Community Connections. “But now, I think it’s just really come to the forefront.”

She noted the benefits are not just limited to the youth who are being mentored, but also the adults who serve as role models for the youth. Grimes said it also has a significant impact on the community.

“By helping (youth) become productive and successful in life, we’re going to change the face of our community,” Grimes said.

Garcia noted a mentor helps the youth to learn about the resources that are available within the community, which she feels instills more community pride. Mentoring can also make for happier employees.

“It’s hard to not take things that you’re enjoying, a new friendship or something where you feel you’re making a difference, and not share that within a business,” Garcia said.

Many people have a misconception of what it takes to be a mentor, according to Grimes. However, the only real prerequisite to being a mentor is a desire to spend time with someone.

“What we like to tell people is that it doesn’t take any special skills, it just takes that willingness to be able to listen and share,” Grimes said.

While mentors are required to complete a screening process, there is really no specialized degree or certification needed. Age is also not a factor in being a mentor.

“Our youngest mentor is 23, and our oldest mentor is 90,” Garcia said.

While many programs and clubs bring together people who are relatively the same age, youth mentoring helps create relationships that bridge the generational gap.

“That’s a pretty amazing thing,” Garcia said.

During National Mentoring Month, the four local mentoring programs are teaming up with Creativity Unlimited Arts Council to celebrate mentoring and art in North Platte.

On Monday, several of the mentors and the youth involved in these mentoring programs gathered to decorate papier mache masks. These masks will be displayed at the Platte River Mall through the end of the month.

On Jan. 25, the mentoring programs and the arts council will also team up for “Thank Your Mentor Day,” a special reception to celebrate National Mentoring Month.

For more information on becoming a mentor, contact Community Connections at 696-0976, TeamMates at 696-3318 or Teen Parents at 534-3185.