MENTOR- BE the ONE

BE the ONE WHO CARES-MENTOR

 

The state of education is dismal and the future for our children is unsettling at best.   Far too many kids are dropping out of school and not making it to the finish line.  But there is hope.  Many children who otherwise would not graduate are in fact graduating and many are CHOOSING to continue to higher education because they have been given inspiration and hope from a CARING ADULT.

You can be that caring adult in a child’s life.   These young people have so much promise but it is often lost in the maze of adolescence.  Life is so much more complicated now for our young people because they are exposed to so much more negative information at younger and younger ages.  Most of them do not have the maturity to make good choices without the help of a wise adult steering them in the right direction.  Most of us are blessed to have a least one parent who gave us the words of wisdom, encouragement or sometimes that needed extra push.  Many of our children do not have that “someone” in their lives and even when they are fortunate to have a caring adult, one adult may not be enough to steer them away from the life on the streets, the lure of riches from the media and drug dealers or the call of the gangs.

President Obama is ushering in a new call for action.   Not unlike leaders in the past he is making a call for service.  I was called to serve by President John Kennedy and have dedicated my professional life to teaching and non-profit work.  While I am certainly not going to retire rich (if at all) I will have the satisfaction of knowing that I made a difference in the lives of many children over the years as evidenced by the cards and letters I still receive from former students.  But each of us can make a difference in a child’s life.  Time is so much more important to our children than any other gift we can give.  Time and time again I hear young adults say they made it because someone took the time to care about them, ask how they were doing, inquire about their likes and dislikes, ask them about their future and then help them think through how to get it.

The nation’s economic crisis has made us all evaluate what is really important in our lives..healthy, family, friends, stability and a place to call home.  But is should also be a time to ask ourselves, “What can I do to make this world a better place.  What can I do to help enrich the life of someone else?  What can I do that will make a difference for this next generation of young people who are scared, frightened and very lonely for someone to care?”

January is National Mentoring month.  Take time to thank someone who helped you– a neighbor, pastor, teacher, friend, family member or that someone who had no reason to help except that they wanted to make a difference in your life.  Pass it on….be a MENTOR for someone who needs you.

Linda Harril, President/CEO

Communities In Schools of NC/NC Mentoring Partnership