Be The One Mentoring Coalition

Big Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington          Catholic Community Services Foster Grandparent Program          Community Youth Services Foster Care to College Mentoring Program          Girl Scouts of Western Washington          Hispanic Roundtable Latino Mentoring Program          North Thurston Public Schools          Thurston County Youth Court          Thurston TOGETHER! Neighborhood Center / After School Programs

 
 

THE BENEFITS OF MENTORING
 

Mentoring is a structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support, and encourage aimed at developing the competence and character of the mentee.

Everyone benefits when our young people are given opportunities that connect them positively to the community and prepare them for the future.  As a mentor you will be making a difference in someone else's life, learning about yourself, giving back and contributing to the future, and having fun.

Mentoring has been proven to be one of the most effective tools in having a positive effect on a young person's life. Most of us have had a role model in our life who helped inspire us. Why not do that for someone else! Mentoring is a shared opportunity for learning and growth.

Natural Mentoring Relationships and Adolescent Health: 
Evidence from a National Study. 
American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 95, No.34, March 2005.

To read about the benefits from some local youth and mentors, click here.

THE NEED FOR MENTORS

Statewide need estimate from the 2004 State of Mentoring Report from the Washington State Mentoring Partnership:

240,000 youth are at-risk and would benefit from a caring adult mentor.

Only 20,000 or about 8% of youth, who could benefit from a mentor, have one.

Thurston County Healthy Youth Survey 2006

Proxy Indicator Estimates for the Absence of a Mentor/Youth who would Benefit from a Mentor

About 1,960 Thurston County 8th–12th grade students do not have an adult to turn to for help when they feel sad or hopeless.

About 2,240 Thurston County 8th–12th grade students feel alone in life.

About 4,650 Thurston County 8th–12th grade students believe they have no adult in their neighborhood they could talk to about something important.

Have no adult to turn to for help when they feel sad or hopeless

 

8th Graders

10th Graders

12th Graders

Thurston County

13%

15%

12%

Washington

11%

16%

13%1


Feel alone in life

 

8th Graders

10th Graders

12th Graders

Thurston County

14%

13%

13%

Washington

14%

14%

14%


Have no adult in their neighborhood to talk to about something important

8th Graders

10th Graders

12th Graders

Thurston County

24%

30%

29%

Washington

26%

32%

34%

Mason County Healthy Youth Survey 2006

Proxy Indicator Estimates for the Absence of a Mentor/Youth who would Benefit from a Mentor

Between 169 and 304 Mason County 8th–12th grade students do not feel as though they have an adult in their life who really cares about them.

Between 507 and 710 Mason County 8th–12th grade students feel alone in life.

Between 879 and 1,115 Mason County 8th–12th grade students believe they have no adult in their neighborhood they could talk to about something important.
 

Have no adult to turn to for help when they feel sad or hopeless

 

8th Graders

10th Graders

Mason County

14%

15%

Washington

11%

16%


Feel alone in life

 

8th Graders

10th Graders

Mason County

16%

12%

Washington

14%

14%


Have no adult in their neighborhood to talk to about something important

 

8th Graders

10th Graders

Mason County

27%

30%

Washington

26%

32%

Thurston County Public Health & Social Services Department
Epidemiology, Assessment and Planning Section
Current as of January 7, 2008/MAO - ogarrom@co.thurston.wa.us

Responses from Local Youth and Mentors

Here are some expressions from youth and  mentors in Thurston and Mason County. Read what they have to say about the rewards of mentoring.
 

I like having a big sister because I have someone to hang out with after school. We do a lot of fun things! Like going to the movies, or making cool crafts. Soon, we are going to start sewing, maybe even make a pillow or something.   Mentee

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I have enjoyed BBBS because I have been able to have a friendship with my little. We hit it off very nicely. It has been fun teaching him to play pool and having him beat me at it sometimes. I hope I have helped him to learn to be a good winner and also a good loser.  Mentor

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I can see a difference in a child who has a mentor. I can also say that having a "little" has made a difference in me. I enjoy teaching her the hobbies I have, going to the movie with her, and shopping with her. Mentor

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What I like about my mentor is that he can always help other people with their homework and with problems that people have. I also like my mentor is because he makes all of the new people in the program feel welcomed. I like the program is because I get to hang out with some friends and do homework and most importantly is to have fun.  Mentee (age 10)

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She's nice and helps me when I need it. Mentee (age 12)

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Why I like having a big brother is because he will teach me things. We play activities. Mentee

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I like teaching them the sign language and helping them become better girl scouts. Mentee

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I like being a leader at patch day because I got to talk about my animals, also I got to tell people what I do with them.  I like sharing the things I love. Mentee (age 11)

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I like helping younger girls because if they're happy it makes me happy. Also because it's fun. What I like about my leader is they help me, they're nice, and they're fun. Mentee (age 12)

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It is really fun planning and doing patch day. What I like most about it is showing other Girl Scouts what they are going to do and that they have fun in what they are doing. Mentee (age 10)

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What I have learned from being a "little" is how to help myself. Also I have learned how be a good person. One way I learned to help myself, is Betsie teaches me good social skills. Another way I  have learned to be a good person is Betsie does not judge me in what I do. I like being a "little" because I know one day this skills will help me in the long run. Being a "little" is a great way to brighten your future and the others around you. Mentee

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I believe the best way to change the world is to help individuals be the best they can be. A well adjusted, confident person  makes for a good citizen. Participants in BBBS have asked for help which is the first step in changing one's life. In return, I have also learned things about myself from my relationship with my little sister. Mentor

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Be the One  . . .  to Mentor
Volunteer to Mentor (click here)