Mine gave me hope!
by Dawn Clark, AmeriCorps Member with Clinton County 4-H Youth Mentoring-P.A.S.S
I’m fat, I’m ugly, and nobody likes me, just another day in my life. Dad moved out, Mom has to work now. It’s lonely here in my house. Divorce sucks! I don’t want to be divorced! Yeah, Mom and Dad were fighting all the time, but at least we were a family. I need my family. Maybe if I was better, maybe if I was thinner, maybe if I wasn’t so ugly…I give up!
Then, you came along, my Big Sister! You like me! You listen to me! You care what I think!! You tell me that I’m not fat, or ugly, and you like me! We spend time together. We hang out, we talk, and we do fun stuff, just the two of us! My mom still works, my Dad still doesn’t live with us, but I don’t feel so lonely anymore! I have someone every week that wants to hang out with me, and likes me just the way I am.
How is it that you don’t really know that you did this? You say you didn’t really do anything, but I KNOW you did!!! You gave me something I didn’t have: Hope! You gave me hope that I could be somebody, that other people do like me, and that I’m worth your time and attention. If I am worth your time and attention, could I really be valuable? You showed me that yes, I am valuable! You showed me that I can have fun again, without drugs, without alcohol. You showed me that I can fit in, and that I’m not a loser.
My Mentor; you gave me a chance to live, not just exist. Although it seems so small, all I can say is Thank You, you have given me so much; the gift of hope is a powerful thing! Thank you!
On January 25th, the staff at the Clinton County 4-H Youth Mentoring Program would like to have everyone take a few minutes to reflect on the people in your life who have mentored you, those who: Supported you, Gave Advice, Offered Friendship, and were a Positive Role Model. Now, however you can, thank them: A phone call, a card, an Email. Let them know that they have had an impact on your life! They don’t always think they have.
We at Clinton County 4-H Youth Mentoring know the value the mentors that are active in our mentoring programs bring, and the impact they are making in the lives of youth. Thank You for all you do. For more information on mentoring, you can contact Christine at 989-224-5240, or Dawn at 989-227-6404, or clarkd@clinton-county.org.