Understanding the importance of mentoring
Often times kids are told to reach for the stars, but without support, some children can give up on their dreams and aspirations. That’s why the Wicomico Board of Education now has the Wicomico Mentoring Project program, linking kids with positive role models.
The program can connect those who are interested in being a mentor and they can also connect those who may need advice from a mentor.
47 ABC spoke with Reverend Mark Thompson who is the Coordinator for Equity Assurance and Student Mentoring for the program and he tells us, “Mentoring makes a difference. It could be going to college, it could be getting a job, it could even be playing on a sports team someone will encourage them and say you have it, you have what it takes.”
While Reverend Thompson says parents and family members can be critical, in this day in age, they’re not always around or available to do so. Mentor Ashley Nelson is a senior at Salisbury University. She says growing up she was always close with her parents and there were certain things she didn’t want to talk to her parents about, but she didn’t have someone else to turn to. Now, she is happy to be that person for someone else.
Nelson tells 47 ABC, “Just having that extra person that’s definitely around your age range who can relate to some of the experience that you had in high school. Even if you give once a week or something it still will help out somebody.”
Reverend Thompson tells us anyone can be a mentor, you just need 45 minutes a week. However he warns, it can be a slow process but says no matter how long it takes, it’s always worthwhile.
Reverend Thompson tells 47 ABC, “Don’t expect a miracle because when you sit down with some students they’re going to look at you and say well I’ve had so much rejection, I’ve had so many people walk away from me when I got close, so I’m not going to open up to you. It’s a process and we tell our mentors don’t get frustrated but stay with it because the benefits are going to be that impact in that life that you change is going to be amazing.”
Reverend Thompson tells us they’ve recently seen an increase in mentors and if you want to get involved, you can do so by simply calling 410-677-4536. You then will have the opportunity to talk with the various groups that offer mentoring and find the right place for you. There’s a $10 processing fee, but the school covers it, so essentially you don’t pay a dime. You then must go through a background check and fill out a form including your birthday, address and social security number. Then the final step, you must complete two training courses, one on child abuse and the other on blood-borne illnesses and how to protect yourself. Reverend Thompson encourages parents to get involved whether it’s mentoring their own child or somebody elses child in the school system.
Reverend Thompson tells 47 ABC, “Sometimes we blame families but were not here to blame families were here to help them supply resources for them and then be that support mechanism for them.”
To watch a short video on mentoring, click the mentoring image on the right side of the 47 ABC home page.
