Celebrating Volunteerism

This Week we Celebrate Mentoring Volunteerism!

In cooperation with Mass Mentoring

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How do mentoring volunteers make an impact?

All children have the potential to succeed in life and contribute to society. However, not all children get the support they need to thrive. Numerous studies have shown that mentoring makes a difference on the lives of youth. Consider the many benefits mentoring offers, including:

• Improving self-esteem
• Keeping young people in school
• Helping improve academic skills
• Leading young people to resources they might not find on their own
• Providing support for new behaviors, attitudes and ambitions
• Increasing young people's ability to seek and keep jobs
• Enhancing parenting skills

Congratulations to this week's "Patriots Difference Maker" - Amanda Martinez

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Amanda Martinez, mentor with Big Sister Association of Greater Boston. Amanda Martinez had a Big Sister when she was younger and always wanted to return the favor. When she moved to Boston she became a Big Sister and has been matched with Mickaella, a middle school student, since January 2008. They enjoy doing arts and crafts, learning about new cultures, meeting new people or trying new foods and being active in the summer rock climbing, rollerblading, bike riding, and swimming. Amanda loves being a Big Sister because “it gives me the opportunity to have a positive impact in a young girl's life and to learn about other people's life experiences.” She also believes that “it is important for girls today to have positive female mentors because there is a lot of negative messaging that is pinpointed towards girls and having a mentor gives a young girl an opportunity to concentrate on what she has to offer on the inside.” Mickaella loves having a Big Sister because “it is like having an automatic friend. Without my Big Sister I would not know how much fun it is to eat Indian food or that I am smarter than I think I am. Amanda has also helped me learn that there is more to life if you look at it from a different point of view. View a video about Amanda and Mickaella at http://youtu.be/w2JBGhMr-DM.

What mentoring volunteer opportunities can I pursue?

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Community Based Mentor
Become a mentor and volunteer one-on-one with a child 8-14 years old. Mentors and mentees meet a few times per month for a couple of hours each time, at places and times convenient to both. Mentors and mentees are matched based on their interests and spend time together engaged in activities such as playing catch, watching movies, touring museums, cheering on the local sports teams or simply hanging out. Must be 18 years of age or older and be able to commit to for a minimum of one year. Training and support provided. Criminal background check required. To volunteer sign up at: www.massmentors.org.

School Based Mentor
Become a mentor and volunteer one-on-one with a child 8-14 years old. Mentors and mentees are matched and meet at the mentees’ school a few times a month over the course of the academic year. During lunch or after school, mentors and mentees play on the playground, swap stories, work on homework, or simply sit and talk, among other activities. Throughout the summer months, school-based matches are encouraged to keep in touch via letters and e-mails. Must be 18 years of age or older and be able to commit to for a minimum of one school year. Training and support provided. Criminal background check required. To volunteer sign up at: www.massmentors.org.

To learn more or volunteer for these opportunities visit www.massmentors.org

The Patriots Charitable Foundation is proud to work in conjunction with Mass Mentoring for "Mentoring Week"

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Mass Mentoring Partnership is the only statewide organization dedicated to strategically expanding quality mentoring to meet the needs of youth across Massachusetts. Mass Mentoring serves more than 180 organizations statewide supporting 23,000 youth in mentoring relationships. For more information: www.massmentors.org