Mentor Monday
Introducing Rob & his dog Moose
After spending my working years in the health care field helping others improve the quality of their health and hence their lives, I needed an avenue to continue helping others. What better way than to seek out organizations that support families that are the cornerstone of our communities.
Several years ago, Nadereh Salim, CEO of The Children’s Network, presented the mentoring program at Cypress Lake Methodist Church one Sunday morning. I was intrigued about this opportunity to give back and joined the program to mentor.
Recently, with the help of Leslie O’Halloran and Pat O’Connor-Benson, we recruited 12 mentors by hosting another church program.
I enjoy mentoring through the family mentoring program as it helps provide my life experiences to encourage others to keep plugging away regardless of their circumstances to reach their family goals.
The benefit I receive is knowing we have made a difference and have done the work needed to help the child remain in their home. That’s the ultimate reward.
Lastly, I would definitely recommend this program for anyone wanting to give back and experience a life changing moment by putting yourself out there by helping others.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact we have lived. It is what difference we have made in the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” Nelson Mandela
Introducing Sandra
I am a believer, mother, grandmother, entrepreneur, mentor, and friend. I love people and I love helping those who are in need. I Mentor because I want to see people win. I want to see families together. I want others to know that they can do anything that they set their minds to do and that it’s never too late to start. I want to be able to share my life’s experiences and skills with the hope that it will encourage others to succeed in all of life’s efforts.
I like mentoring through the Family Mentoring Program because I’ve been on the opposite end as a foster parent, and I’ve seen what children goes through mentally when they have been removed from the home. I like supporting the parent by offering my advice and by making helpful suggestions so that the child can remain in the home permanently.
Family is everything and the benefits I receive is a parent who has been encouraged, equipped, empowered, and focused on becoming the best parent for the child. I would definitely recommend this program because its life changing. Its good when you can care for others and not just yourself because I believe we are all call to service.
Introducing Donna
I am a family mentor because I was a foster child and I know how it feels to be away from your family.
With the help of the Children’s Network and using the available resources, I was able to help a young family’s life during the reunification process. It was rewarding watching this young mom achieve her goals and how this helped strengthen her family. She was able to earn her GED, find an affordable apartment and affordable childcare. With the tools I was given by the Children’s Network I was able to be a part of helping this mother give her children a happy and healthy home.
I would recommend this program to anyone that has a calling to help children and families. It brings families together; gives them the support and resources they need; allows them to believe in themselves and believe in a brighter future. My heart is full when I see how much I can help make a difference in the families I have had the pleasure to work with.
Introducing Timica
I enjoy assisting others through life’s journey and believe we all need a helping hand at some point in our lives. I feel extremely rewarded when I find resources, lend a positive ear or be a cheerleader for a family in need that helps the parents in the process of becoming more self-sufficient and confident.
Although I’m a new Mentor for the Children’s Network, I believe with my life experiences combined with my resourcefulness and drive to help others, I can be a part of helping a family get back on their feet and achieve their goals. Children are a gift, but it can be hard when you’re struggling with all the barriers in contemporary society, and I want to help break down those barriers.
I favor this program because a parent’s breakthrough can have such a positive trickle-down effect on their children that will last for a lifetime.
I am excited when I see parents become self-sufficient and can pass it on by helping others with their struggles. I would recommend this program to anyone who’s interested and thinking about helping families in their community.
Introducing Azlyn
I am a firm believer that no one walks through life without the need for help at some point along the way. I have always found myself nurturing and guiding others. I go towards it like a moth to a flame and have come to view helping others as my driving purpose in life. There is nothing more rewarding to me than seeing an individual prosper after hardships, and to play a critical role in that.
Though I am new to the mentorship program. I think that my compassion and desire to go the extra mile, combined with the support and resources of the Children’s Network and surrounding communities that I can help my assigned family and hopefully many others overcome the challenges they’ve been faced with, set goals, and achieve them. Though I have only been assigned to my family for a little over two weeks now, I have already been able to gather her some much needed necessities, and the Children’s Network went above and beyond to aid me with this task. The gratitude from the mother makes it all worth it a million times over.
I think a program such as this is crucial to have as the success of a parent usually ensures the wellbeing and success of the child. Sometimes all it takes it the efforts and kindness of another person to help them get there. Not everyone is dealt a proper hand in or throughout life, but there is always the opportunity to “reshuffle” your deck for a different outcome. I recommend that anyone that has the want to help families in their community reach out to the Children’s Network to see how you can get involved.
Introducing Billy
I was reluctant to think I needed or that having a mentor was going to help me. I initially accepted the idea to get the support of the staff involved in my situation.
Immediately after talking to my new mentor Rob, I realized I had someone I could speak freely with; that I could openly express my struggles and shortcomings without retaliation. So many times, it felt that my honesty was used against me, and it was a huge weight off my shoulders to finally have someone to open up to without repercussions.
Rob has supported me and shown me a kindness that I haven’t known for some time. Giving me the tools to push through troubling times. I feel more confident in myself. I also reached out and repaired relationships that I had withdrawn from in isolation. I would recommend this program and Rob to anyone in similar situations.
