Like a bridge over troubled water, a mentor can and does make a difference in a young person’s life. At a time when big changes leave some students feeling isolated, awkward, confused, Game Plan for Success, a local mentoring program, can help, but only if adults in the community care enough to volunteer.
Recruiting mentors for the second year of the program, Cheryl Walraven of the Family Resource Center says, “Two hours a week could change a young person’s life forever.”
Walraven is looking to the community for adult volunteer mentors who are willing to give five to eight hours each month to work with youth, plus attend a monthly community workshop. “There is real need for youth in our county to be mentored,” she said. “High school freshmen are at a vulnerable age. Most of the time, all they need is a person to listen to them, hear their perspective and help them to explore various ways of looking at their situation.”
Walraven explains the program is modeled after the Colorado Youth at Risk program in Denver. Statistics show that students make the decision to drop out of school between their sophomore and junior year. Providing an adult mentor throughout their freshman year, can make a difference, by helping the student to consider the value of school from a different perspective “Our goal,” Walraven said, “is to encourage students to graduate from high school with a post secondary education plan in place.”
What do mentors do? According to Walraven, they listen to teens and help them explore new perspectives about the many choices they are facing. “We encourage Mentors to think outside the box,” she said. “Most of us become siloed into one way of thinking. Mentoring is an opportunity for the mentor and the teen to explore new ways of thinking about situations that may, on the surface, seem like roadblocks.
Youth and mentors may choose to do such activities as going to the park, watching a movie or working out at the NJC Events Center, having dinner together, studying school homework, golfing, gardening, sports or crafts. The youth and mentor decide how to spend their time together.
The rewards of mentoring! Here is what some of the youth currently involved in Game Plan for Success had to say.
Why teens say they joined Game Plan for Success:
“I signed up for the mentor program because I felt I could not talk to anyone else.”
“I used to think I was a worthless waste of air. I needed a mentor because I needed someone to prove to me I wasn’t.”
“I needed a mentor because I needed another friend I could trust, someone to help me through life.”
“I felt had no one to talk to, to be there for me”.
“I can talk to my mentor just like I talk to my family.”
“I needed a mentor because I didn’t care about school and didn’t have anyone to talk to.”
“It’s good having someone else to talk to besides mom, dad, siblings and friends, knowing it’s all confidential. It’s nice to know there is someone there when you need advice.”
What teens say about how Game Plan for Success has changed their lives:
“I’m doing better in school and I get along with people better.”
“I could say a lot of words but simply, it changed my life by making me a better person.”
“It has helped me open up and do better in school and to be able to see what things
I need to improve on.”
“It has helped me communicate with my mom more and I have more respect for myself
and others.”
“I am more responsible and open minded and get along better with people.”
“Everything! My attitude has changed for the better. I’m attending school everyday and I am never late! My grades are improving. I communicate so much better with everyone! I’m constantly happy. I love my mentor! I’ve changed for the better and am so proud. My principle notices me and how much better I am. It’s a great feeling!”
Game Plan for Success started last year and is a program of the Family Resource Center. Currently the program has 15 mentors and 16 freshmen students involved. Walraven hopes the program will grow to a second level that will continue the mentor and youth connection beyond the 9th grade. Walraven says,
“Our current goal is to have 20 incoming Freshmen in the program this fall. We need 20 new mentors to pair with these youth and to be another interested adult they can count on. We have a very caring community and I know there are some adults out there who are waiting to make a difference in the lives of our youth. Our youth need them.”
Adults, 21 and over, interested in spending time with youth as a mentor may call Cheryl Walraven at 526-2439, 580-8801 or email her at:
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.
If you would like more information on the Family Resource Center or would like to make a donation or volunteer your time to any of their programs, please call the office at 970-526-2439 speak with Karen Torres or Cheryl Walraven.
A BIG thank you to everyone who attended this year's picnic and to all the wonderful volunteers who helped make it such a success. For those who couldn't make it, you were missed!
It is always inspiring to see how many people, mentors, youth, family, and friends, show up to honor CYAR and all the fantastic people involved in our organization. Nearly 200 people braved the formidable heat so that we could all come together as a community. Thank YOU for who you are and all that you do! 
