Become a Study Connection mentor

By Ida Lorenz
Special to the Herald

October 25, 2006 10:32 am

— Not long ago, there used to be an average of three to four adults who were significantly involved in a child’s life.
In my world that would be defined as me, my husband and probably my children’s grandparents or possibly a scout leader or a coach. An adult my children could look to as a secure, safe, talented and available source for an answer, a model or some dedicated time.
Today, across the area and around the state of Iowa, that number has now dropped to an average of around one significant individual in a child’s life. Therein lies the foundation or the bedrock upon why the Clinton School District sees mentoring as important. The reason? Busy lives, double income families, divorce, geographic separation from one’s roots and/or simple pressures of child to parent relationship.
All children need caring adults in their lives. Although positive, sustained relationships with parents represent a critical resource for children, other adults can provide support that is similar to the support that a parent provides.
Some would question or challenge the real benefit of mentoring. The results are in, however, and very impressive. Mentoring benefit kids, sometimes it even saves them. The time spent, just one hour during the week, can teach children about work ethic, responsibility and making the right choices in life that lead directly to a return on time investment for you. Mentoring improves their self-esteem, attitudes toward education, attendance and desire to stay in school.
Here is what I’m asking you to do: be a mentor to a Clinton School District student. Meet with him or her at the school or at a designated mentoring site for one hour a week. Find out firsthand the influence you can have as a mentor by spending one hour on assignments from the teacher, talking, playing a game and sharing your life experiences with him. That is why mentoring is the single most effective intervention and prevention strategy known to man.
Please call me today at 243-0467, ext. 38, to let me know you will mentor a child. It will be a decision you won’t regret.
Thank you.
Ida M. Lorenz, is coordinator of the Clinton School District Study Connection Youth Mentoring Program.