Sonoma Mentoring Alliance Birthday Celebration
Fifteen years ago, a Sonoma woman named Kathy Witkowicki started a mentoring program to help children in Sonoma Valley. On May 24th, the Mentoring Alliance is hosting it's annual mentor/mentee end of the school year picnic. The event is also a celebration of the alliance's fifteenth anniversary.
I've been a mentor with this organization. It was one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences I've had. My mentee and I were paired up while she was in elementary school. We continued to meet through junior high and into her freshman and sophmore years at the local public high school. Most times we'd just get together for an hour and talk. Sometimes I'd help with her homework. Once in a while I'd attend school assemblies for awards ceremonies or watch her practice her Tai Kwan Do. I proudly witnessed her mete out justice as a judge in a junior high mock trial.
Her mom is a great mom who, out of necessity, works a lot. So, my relationship with my mentee was that of a friend and confidante. I learned a lot from her about the life of a modern day teen and while we didn't talk about it much, she let me know that she appreciated my attention and concern for her well-being.
The Stand By Me Mentoring Alliance is always short on adult mentors. There are more kids in need than volunteers. Men are in especially short supply. The needs of these children vary greatly from simple one-on-one homework assistance to consistent adult compansionship for single-parent kids to guidance aimed at addressing behavioral problems.
The annual picnic is a great place to meet people in the mentoring program so if you're interested, and are free on Tuesday May 24th, you might want to stop in. It's potluck so be prepared to bring a salad, side dish, or dessert. Hamburgers, hotdogs, and entertainment are free.
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