General Mentoring
We also provide opportunities to become a General Mentor. This type of mentoring helps youth with basic life skills, such as learning how to go on a job interview, apply for college and to become independent, confident individuals. General mentors can assist with academic work, parenting, take their mentees on fun outings and become a close friend. General mentoring can be arranged with small groups of youth or one-on-one. Most one-on-one mentoring relationships require a one-year minimum commitment.
While it's difficult for many people to volunteer consistently for a long period of time, this type of mentoring has the most impact. Foster youth, homeless kids and children of prisoners are especially in need of committed mentors, since they don't always have full family support. They may live with a single parent who must work long hours to support the family, or have no one at all.
We would like to highlight two of our One-on-One Mentoring relationships, both of which take place at L.A. Family Housing - a homeless shelter in North Hollywood with 120 children.
Amy Black and Melissa
Amy had spent two years on the waiting list of a well-known mentoring organization, trying to get matched to a child. She had a "Big Sister" growing up because her mother was a single parent raising three kids and she wanted her daughter to have awesome experiences and another role model. Amy remembered everything they did together and now she wanted to help a child to have that same wonderful experience.
We referred Amy to L.A. Family Housing. Within one week, she was mentoring Melissa - an adorable nine-year-old girl who lives with her father at the shelter. It took just a little time for them to get to know each other and for Melissa to feel more comfortable. Amy took her hiking and bowling - both new experiences for the girl.
We brought Amy and Melissa to see Cirque du Soleil's "Corteo" and also to Paramount Studios for a wonderful afternoon of meeting celebrities, getting treats and seeing a screening of "The Spiderwicke Chronicles." Melissa is still talking about these events. Her bowling scores are soaring now that she has played a few games. She has also become a great hiker, having the chance to experience the beauty of nature numerous times with her mentor.
Amy shares, "Melissa has finally started to open up to me more and I see her and I building a strong foundation for a bright future. I try to nurture and encourage her to follow her dreams and we often talk about school and how important education is!"
Melissa says, "Amy gave me lots of clothes and she also taught me to brush my teeth before I go to bed. She gave me a new toothbrush." Simple things like making dinner, washing the car and walking Amy's dog are all fun adventures for a child who has led a challenged life on the streets.
Josh Kramon and C.J.
Josh is a successful film and TV composer, working on such projects as "Life As We Know It" and "Making the Band." Even though he's incredibly busy with his work and raising two young children with his wife, he wanted to reach out as a mentor to help an at-risk youth.
We introduced Josh to L.A. Family Housing. The staff decided that C.J., a 13-year-old boy who lived alone with his father at the shelter, was at a vulnerable age and another positive role model would help to keep him on track.
C.J. wanted to learn how to play the keyboard, so we bought him the instrument. His mentor proudly remarked, "He has picked up on piano very quickly and is even reading music."
C.J. gushed with excitement. "Until I met Josh, I didn't know about music. I learned only one song when I was like in the third grade and I never messed with the piano, but he teaches me a lot."
Josh said, "This has been a wonderful learning experience for me. I was very nervous at the beginning, since I had no experience working with kids of his age or situation. But once I started with C.J., all my fears went away and now I very much look forward to our meetings."
It's been four years now that Josh has been mentoring C.J. The youth is now 17 years old and he relishes the times he still shares with his mentor. They mostly communicate by phone and texting, and they get together whenever possible.
C.J. said, "We talk about music, school, grades, family. Josh has inspired me throughout the years to do things that I didn't think I could do, like play the piano and to always be positive. He keeps me up and he's there for me!"
Josh remarked, "Watching C.J. grow into such a kind and responsible young man has been a truly rewarding experience for me. He's doing great in school and has a very creative mind. I'm very proud of him. Thanks so much to everyone at Create Now for making this happen!
Nina Gibson at L.A. Family Housing said, "These positive one-on-one relationships provide a foundation for which the kids are inspired to improve their academic and social skills, and enrich relationships with their friends and family. I see this clearly when the mentees excitedly share their experiences they have had with their mentors to other kids in the program."
If you would like to become a One-On-One Mentor, please contact us to get started.