Being a mentor is one of the highlights of my life. The opportunity given to me by position as a Youth Counselor with The Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) in Bennettsville, SC , is greatly appreciated. The children I serve are in grades six through nine and are all precious. The children in this program are learning be open minded as they are introduced to new foods and activities. YEP, starting only a year ago, is designed to serve 36 children and follows the students for three years. The program provides students with academic enrichment, career development,assitance in making healthy food choices, and behavior modification.
Of Course I enjoy it all but I must say that getting to know the children indivivually is the greatest part of all. Learning how the kids react in certain situations allows me better assist them. Knowing that the program is designed to create long- term and or permanent postitive behavior, there are better days than others. Not only do I give of myself at YEp but there are children that I spend time with individually, talk to on the phone, and even email from time to time. As a mentor, I help any way that I can without getting in the way of parents and even helping the parents at times.
Parents are sometimes out of tune with their kids and me being a little closer to their age are able to either identify the issues that need to be addressed and sometimes relate to the emotions and thoughts the children may be experiencing.
I simply love young people especially when they are teachable. Many of them are only looking for just what I've got- Love and Care. Mentoring Rocks and it Matters.... Find out how you can be a mentor, there is always a child in need of one. You can make a difference but please make sure that you are Positive, Alert, Careful, and Honest. Children appreciate the truth even if it hurts and remember to never make promises you can't keep!
Become A Mentor and Make a Difference
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