Inspired Pen Writing

This piece is an offshoot of my random thoughts on the topic of ‘youth mentoring’ – lately, something that has become a part of my interest;  in fact, despite my current writing deadlines, I’ve been inclined to include in my freelance writing brief.

One-to-one youth mentoring has been shown to have significant effect and positive impact on the lives of young people.

The person mentoring is of course the ’mentor’ and the youth being mentored, the ‘mentee.’

What are these day to day issues involved among children and youths today?  They vary from unhappy or broken homes, use of illegal drugs or alcohol,  peer or friend pressure (sense of belonging),  lack of direction including apathy in going to school,  less confidence in performing their homework, bullying issue.  The list goes on …

But first, what is mentoring?

Well, simply put: mentoring is all about listening and caring for the mentee. Definitely not being judgmental but rather, guiding and supporting.

In a way, a genuine mentor is a sounding board but with a difference. He/she listens and cares, with a capital ‘L’ and ‘C.’

Perhaps the mentee doesn’t really have a major problem save some time management and a bit of organizing here and there. That’s okay too.

In recent years, the need for a professional mentor has become more pronounced.  With the advent of too much television, Internet, all other kinds of media information overload, a concern about the longer effect on the youth’s confidence and social skills has become more pronounced more than ever.  I believe that Youth Mentoring Programs can build on and make a meaningful impact and make a difference esp for those youth undergoing or might experience those issues earlier mentioned. It is a poweful force in influencing the youth’s behaviour and life direction.

It does matter to have a non-judgemental but a caring adult in the life a youth, which a mentor can provide much better, being outside the box of the inevitable subjective parental filial relationships.

(Thanks to these wonderful people for inspiring me to quantify my random thoughts about youth mentoring through this piece: Vicki Condon (our trainor), Pru Rousselot, Zoe Dobson, Tay, Carol, Sue (two of them), Jill, Nicole, Don, Steve, Bill, Jan and Janet for the seemingly endless conversations and enthusiasm on the subject. Folks, you’re terrific!)