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(Volunteer
Opportunities)
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The Benefits of Mentoring
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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. |
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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.
Youth in a mentoring relationship are more likely to
exhibit favorable outcomes relating to education/work (completing
high school, college attendance, working ÿ10 hours a week), reduced
problem behavior (gang membership, hurting others in physical
fights, risk taking), psychological well-being (heightened
self-esteem, life satisfaction), and health (physical activity
level, birth control use).
Natural
Mentoring Relationships and Adolescent Health:
Evidence from a
National Study.
American Journal of Public Health,
Vol. 95, No.34, March 2005.
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To read about the benefits from some local youth and mentors,
click here.
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The Need for Mentors
Statewide need estimate
from the 2008 Washington State Mentors Annual Report from
Washington State Mentors:
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240,000 youth are at-risk and would benefit from a
caring adult mentor. |
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Only 30,000 youth, who could benefit from a mentor, have
one. |
Thurston & Mason County Healthy Youth Survey 2008
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Have no adult to turn to for help when they feel sad or
hopeless
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8th
Graders
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10th
Graders
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12th
Graders
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Mason County |
24% |
27% |
25% |
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Thurston
County
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27%
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31%
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25%
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Washington
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27%
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30%
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24%
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Feel alone in life
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8th
Graders
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10th
Graders
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12th
Graders
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Mason County |
13% |
13% |
14% |
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Thurston
County
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14%
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13%
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14%
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Washington
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13%
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13%
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13%
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Have no adult in their neighborhood to talk to about
something important
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8th
Graders
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10th
Graders
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12th
Graders
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Mason County |
31% |
30% |
28% |
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Thurston County
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27%
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30%
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28%
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Washington
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28%
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29%
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31%
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Thurston County Public Health & Social Services Department
Epidemiology, Assessment and Planning Section
Current as of October 30, 2009/MAO -
ogarrom@co.thurston.wa.us |
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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.
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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
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
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
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)
She's
nice and helps me when I need it. Mentee (age 12)
Why
I like having a big brother is because he will teach me things.
We play activities. Mentee
I
like teaching them the sign language and helping them become
better girl scouts. Mentee
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)
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)
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)
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
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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