During this week’s On-Going Mentor Training, we focused on identifying activities that our mentors could do with their mentees to help build some of the 40 Developmental Assets in that child’s life. A number of the Developmental Assets include creative activities, reading for pleasure, cultural awareness, and service to others. There are a number of activities (cheap and fun!) that could be done to help develop these factors in each child’s life.

For a little guidance in figuring out some activities, we would like to remind all our mentors that a list of state and city parks, as well as, many other attractions are listed in the back of the Children of Promise handbook. Please contact us if you do not have this handbook!

Also, for more ideas, try visiting these two websites:

This ETSU website has a great list of festivals, restaurants, museums, parks, and much more! Be sure to click on the link of each attraction to get more information.
http://www.etsu.edu/regional/fun/

A! Magazine for the Arts provides this online calendar of artistic events in the northeast TN region. These events cover a variety of the different forms of art. Be sure to check the location of the event, as some listed are as far away as Brevard, NC. Finally, we cannot verify that all these events would be appropriate for children; so, be sure to investigate an event to ensure it will be enjoyable for you and your mentee!
http://www.artsmagazine.info/calendar.php

Finally, for a few sevices ideas, consider…

• Nursing home visits
• Meals on Wheels
• Salvation Army Kitchen
• Check with your church for service activities that may be appropriate for you and your mentee

Thanks again to all our mentors for the wonderful job they are doing!

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Thank you so much to all mentors that posted a story about their mentoring experience. Each entry was precious and inspiring! Be sure to check them out if you haven’t already!

However, we had a choose a winner and the winning entry is “The Impact of Words” by Anna Hedges. Anna gives a good example of meeting your mentee just where he or she is in their life’s journey. She reminds us of the simple role we play in making a difference in the lives of these children…how much of an impact can be made in just “being there”. We cannot be social workers, or the parents, but we can be a friend, a listener, and an inspirational role model.

Thank you, Anna, and all mentors that are doing so much to show love to these children of promise!

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Last night’s On-Going Mentor Training was delightful! We were happy to meet new and old mentors, alike, for a time of prayer, sharing, and learning! Here is an excerpt of some of the topics we covered:

Pray for your mentee.

The staff of Children of Promise would like to encourage all mentors to seriously devote time in prayer for your mentee. Many of us come into a mentoring relationship with high expectations of positive change. However, as the relationship progresses, we realize that this relationship is like all others, requiring us to be dedicated and to struggle with disappointment and difficulties. We have found that praying for a child and believing in God’s desire to reach their hearts and lives can lead to great changes in the momentum of the relationship and in the attitude of the child. In reality, there is a spiritual battle going on for the lives of each child in our program. There is a battle going on over the lives of each mentor in our program, as well. The best tool we have as mentors is prayer. This is how we can best contribute to everlasting change in their lives of each mentee and their families as well!

40 Developmental Assets

The staff of Children of Promise is constantly endeavoring to improve the program and increase the ability of our mentors to affect change. Our latest idea is to improve the mentor/mentee contracts adding an emphasis on the 40 Developmental Assets, which have been found to contribute to decreases in risky behaviors by adolescents when accumulated in their lives. More information on the 40 Developmental Assets will be added to this blog in the 40 Developmental Assets page. Please check it out for more great information!!

The next On-Going Mentor Training will be Monday, May 7th, with prayer at 5 pm and training starting at 5:30 pm.

Hope to see you all then!!

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Go ahead and put this on your calendars!
Mentors and mentees are welcome to come to Fun Expedition to have a little fun on Thursday, February 22nd from 6 to 8 pm! Don’t forget to bring a little hw to work on before playing!

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