Logan Jenerette
Mrs. Atkinson
English IV
30 January 2013
Mentoring
Children
Each year, over a quarter of a million children are
removed from their homes and placed in foster care. Children are usually separated from their
families because of issues like abuse or neglect. As the child becomes older, they can
experience a range of mental health problems that can increase. Children have to change “families” and
schools which can put a damper on their social skills and self-esteem. Children in foster care are also at a heightened
risk for educational and behavioral difficulties. Children need to have a mentor who can be a
guidance and support system. Far too
many youth in foster care lack the adult support that is so necessary to help
them through this difficult transition (Dr. Rhodes).
We
all want to be cared for or loved by another person. According to “Mentoring Benefits”, mentoring
is a proven and powerful tool which can play a significant role in a child’s life. Children can benefit from mentoring by
gaining a perspective, development of strategies, better attitudes, and having
a support system. Mentoring a child can
create a foundation for basic skills that people use every day such as social
skills, vocal skills, and civic responsibility.
Mentoring promotes general well- being and positive behavior (Jansen).
In
this project, Paige Gause and I will be going to Sea Haven. Sea Haven is located in North Myrtle
Beach. Our supervisor who will be
assisting us while mentoring children will be Mr. Antquan. Before we can start the mentoring process, we
will need to fill out applications.
These applications will ask about background information, what we hope
to accomplish, and the personal responsibility that comes with this process.
When a child has a special bond with an adult, it can
increase many activities that the child is experiencing. During the mentoring process, more children
were successful academically. Mentoring
relationships can help increase study habits.
Mentoring can also improve emotional well-being and their social skills (Tierney).
I want to make sure the child that I will be mentoring is
comfortable being around me. I want to
see the child grow over the process and become the best person they can
be. I will achieve this goal and keep up
with the growth of the child by asking how this process is helping them. Another goal I want to accomplish is an open
relationship where they feel relaxed and content to ask for advice, guidance,
or support.
The resources we need for this project is very
little. We will drive to Sea Haven each
Friday after school and stay there for at least two hours. I would like to get close with the child, and
be more like a friend then a mentor. I
would like to be someone who they look up too.
Rhodes, Jean.
"Research Corner: Fostering Positive Outcomes." Mentor.
National Mentoring Partnership, n.d. Web. 29 Jan 2013.
<http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring
Jansen, Shawn.
"Mentoring Benefits ." Kettle Kinship. Kettle Kinship . Web.
29 Jan 2013. <http://www.kettlekinship.org/kettle_kinship_016.htm>.
Tierney, Grossman.
"Candidate Outcome Indicators: Youth Mentoring Program." Urban.
The Center For What Works, n.d. Web. 29 Jan 2013. <http://www.urban.org/center/met/projects/upload/Youth_Mentoring.pdf>.
