The Clinton County 4-H Mentoring would like to take the opportunity for you to consider the following ten reasons to become a mentor.
10.) It can change your life for the better. Many of the adult and teen mentors that have been involved in the Clinton County 4-H Key Mentoring Program have commented on how they became involved to help a younger child but end up seeing themselves grow and change at the same time.
9.) You can become a role model in someone else’s life. Adult mentor Erin Pohl feels that “Seeing a mentee’s face light up when you come to spend time with them each week really shows how you end up being a role model for your mentee.”
8.) You can meet new people. Each of the mentors in the Clinton County 4-H Mentoring Program have had the chance to make new friends with their fellow mentors through interacting at the sites, trainings, or special events.
7.) You will feel proud, satisfied, and energized. Adult mentor Mary Lytle says “I get a good feeling from the kids and always walk away from a mentoring activity with an energized feeling.”
6.) It is an easy way to serve the community. Mentoring only takes a one to two hour commitment weekly with a few special activities and training opportunities.
5.) You can learn new skills. Mentors learn communication, leadership, and problem solving skills to name a few. In addition, numerous teen mentors have commented on the growth of confidence they gain from being involved in the program.
4.) You can earn community service hours. Many teenagers have to earn community service hours to graduate so what better way than to earn your hours while having fun.
3.) It’s a chance to share your talents and hobbies. Throughout a mentoring match mentors have the chance to share different skills, talents, and hobbies with their mentee.
2.) It is a lot of fun. Mentors are always commenting on the fun they get to have while spending time with their mentee.
1.) Finally you can be creating connections for tomorrow by being a key to the future for a youth by helping a youth gain the confidence and skills that are needed for their future.
So if this sounds like something you would be interested in and our at least 14 years of age, take this opportunity to find out how you can give just a couple hours of your life a week to the Clinton County 4-H Mentoring Program. We are especially looking for adults who might be interested in playing a lead mentoring role at any of our after-school sites around Clinton County.
For information on how you can be involved contact Christine Sisung at the Clinton County MSU Extension office 989-224-5239 or by e-mail sisungch@msu.edu. So join in the fun of creating connections for tomorrow by being a key to the future.