WHAT “MENTORING” MEANS IN
INTERGENERATIONAL BRIDGES
For some older adults, the word “mentoring” can sound too challenging – or even too scary – a commitment to handle. I regret this notion each year, as I look back on how many more students we could have reached with more volunteers. Our impact would be even stronger if more people knew what a rewarding and fun opportunity mentoring new immigrants in Intergenerational Bridges can be -- for young and old alike.
Thinking back over this year, I recall many golden memories. Below, is a list of some memorable “clips” from our four program sites. To protect the innocent (or guilty), I mention no names. This list represents an honest look at the good, the bad, and the funny. Read the list and see if mentoring is really what you thought it was…
· Older adults having as much fun as their students climbing in and out of airplanes at the aviation museum
· Coaxing preteens roaming the hallways looking for their latest beaus to come in the door to Bridges
· A group of older adults and teens engaging in a truly intergenerational and multicultural conversation about the state of racial integration in America today
· Blasé teens agreeing to try Bridges because that’s where their friends are—only to find out they really enjoy the activities with the adults
· Friendly (but spirited!) team competitions during the multiplication bee, geography bee, Buzzwords game, and JINGO word bingo bringing out the kid in everyone
· Youth of all ages finding a poster contest is an acceptable way to study the consequences of drug use—and discovering they want no part of doing drugs
· A troubled student calling you (as his mentor) at 7am (before heading to school) the day after you gave him your number—just checking to see how serious you were when you said to call if he needed you
· Students who get so wrapped up in talking or reading with their mentor that they have no idea what anyone else is doing in the room
· Seven caring adults sitting around a table brainstorming ways to help a student repeatedly in trouble for being in the wrong place with the wrong people
· Mentors and students taking a “cruise” on the C&O Canal, marveling at the force of the water over the falls, and gobbling up a picnic on a gorgeous Spring day
· A program coordinator trying to understand which law of physics applies to the action of a couple of students who had to be cajoled into the room for weeks, only to find them glued to the window in the door once they dropped the program
· A student’s face beaming when the mentor arrives
· That same student’s face registering disappointment when the mentor unexpectedly fails to show
· A young girl’s confidence obviously growing when she begins to relax and even joke as her English improves
· Mentors and students developing cross-cultural respect and brother/sisterhood over the year’s projects and conversation
Bridges requires at a minimum that each mentor will attend regularly. Student-Mentor pairs meet weekly in a supervised, group setting from late September through late May. Adults who enjoy talking, playing, and working on projects with children are ideal. Volunteers may express their preference for working with elementary-age or older students, as Bridges offers programs to each age group. Staff from Interages brings plans and activities each week -- but mentors are free to share their own interests with a child if they prefer. The next step -- relationship building -- is just a matter of time and chemistry. Give us a call or tell a friend – the kids are ready and waiting to meet you!
Mary Ann Larkin
Bridges Program Coordinator
