Mentoring highlighted throughout January

COLUMBUS -- They have been called idols and guardian angels by the youth they have helped.

All it took to get those accolades was a bit of time and a caring heart.

Several local organizations hope others can give of themselves in a similar way by becoming a mentor.

January is National Mentoring Month, and representatives from mentoring programs have been spreading the news about their organizations and their need for adult volunteers. Several of those organizations -- Connect Columbus Volunteer Center, Big Pals-Little Pals, TeamMates, Youth for Christ Columbus and the Platte Valley Literacy Association -- will be at local businesses today and Tuesday to speak with employees and promote the mentoring opportunities available through their agencies.

Tricia Faust, executive director of TeamMates, said the National Mentoring Partnership has identified a “mentoring gap” and has issued a nationwide call to action.

“The partnership estimates there are 15 million youth across the nation that are currently in need of a mentor. Big Pals and TeamMates work to fill this gap for the Columbus area. Mentoring is such a proactive approach to helping youth. We can catch kids with a lot of potential and help keep them headed in the right direction,” Faust said.

Faust said there have been endless success stories through mentoring programs. She has heard many youths refer to their mentors as a guardian angel, their pretend dad, their idol, their inspiration, their best friend and their second mom.

“These are powerful labels that show just how amazing these relationships can be,” she said.

Darla Neemeyer, executive director of Youth for Christ, said organizations such as hers are in need of mentors. About 300 youths between the ages of 11 and 19 use services at Youth for Christ including the Teen Moms and Young Dads programs.

People may think they are too strapped for time or can’t make a difference in a child’s life, Neemeyer said, but that shouldn’t stop them from becoming a mentor.

“We are not looking for people with Ph.D’s, we are just looking for people who care about kids,” she said.

Roxanne McCright, executive director of Big Pals, said mentoring has many benefits. Studies have shown that mentoring has reduced the crime rate and reduced the drug and alcohol rates among youth. It has also reduced the number of teenage pregnancies and has helped young people form better attitudes toward parents and teachers, and have helped encourage the youth to stay in school.

Mentors also provide a positive role model for a child.

“We’re never trying to replace the place of a parent, but give additional support. All children can use more support. It isn’t easy to grow up today,” McCright said.

Neemeyer said volunteer mentors are needed in all programs at Youth For Christ. Mentors with Teen Moms and Young Dads work with a young person who “really needs an adult, a parent who has been there” who can give the youth advice and comfort. The organization also has the youth guidance programs geared toward high school- and middle school-age kids called Campus Life, Campus Life JV and Youth Guidance. The Youth For Christ office can be reached at 564-3700.

Big Pals is a community-based program that has been established in Columbus for 35 years. Mentors need to be at least 17 years old, of good character and be able to spend a couple hours a week with a Little Pal. Little Pals are between the ages of 6-19, attend a school in Columbus and come from single-parent homes. There are currently about 20 children on the waiting list waiting for a mentor. For more information about Big Pals, call the office at 563-1081.

TeamMates is currently in six schools: Columbus Middle School, Columbus High School, Sunrise Elementary School, Shell Creek Elementary, Lakeview High School and Scotus Central Catholic. There are currently 75 matches in the program.

Students are usually paired with a mentor in sixth or seventh grade and continue together throughout high school.

The mentor and the student meet at the student’s school. More information about TeamMates is available by calling 564-6248.

The Connect Columbus Volunteer Center maintains a running list of mentoring and volunteering opportunities available in the community. The office can be reached by calling 562-5462.