Connect with a youth — change a life

said. “Over the years, it has been a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club, the YWCA, the YMCA and Neighborhood Youth Services, but today, it is its own nonprofit program.”

Moldowski, who holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology and a master’s degree in social work, has worked with the organization for several years. She explained more about the program.

“Mentor North matches youth with positive adults for a one-on-one, community-based mentoring relationship,” she said. “A mentor and mentee are paired based on personality and shared interests.”

Demographic

Mentor North is currently matching children (both boys and girls) ages 5-18. Many of these children come from low-income and/or single-parent households.

Mentor North’s volunteer mentors feature a wide range of ages and backgrounds.

“Our youngest volunteer is 19, and our oldest is in their 70s,” Moldowski said. “Some work in the sciences, some are in social services, some are attending college, and some are retired. Mentoring is an option for anyone who wants to make a difference in the life of a child.”

Requirements

People wishing to become a mentor with Mentor North are required to complete several screening procedures. This includes multiple interviews, a written application, a reference check, a motor vehicle report, a criminal background check, and new mentor training.

Mentors are expected to spend about 8-12 hours per month with their mentee, and for the relationship to last at least one year. (Time requirements are currently more flexible due to COVID-19). Current matches at Mentor North are far exceeding expectations, with the average mentor/mentee relationship lasting about 3.3 years.

Activities

When it comes to activities the pair can do together, the sky is truly the limit. Activities can range from touring a museum together to walking your dog. The main thing is spending quality time together.

“Mentoring can easily become incorporated into your life in a very natural way,” Moldowski said. “We ask our mentors to share their interests. If you love hiking, for instance, we can guarantee we have a mentee who would love to hike with you.”

And, there are no out-of-pocket costs for the mentor.

“We don’t expect our mentors to spend money,” Moldowski said. “We encourage them to enjoy free or reduced-fee activities with their mentees.”

As such, Mentor North has partnerships with a variety of local businesses, such as Mont du Lac, the YMCA, Great Lakes Aquarium and many more. Through these special and generous associations, free or discounted activities are offered to mentoring partnerships.

Testimonial

Mentoring can be deeply transformational for the mentor and mentee alike. Mary, a local resident, generously shared her ongoing experience as a volunteer mentor through Mentor North. Her relationship with her mentee, MaKenna, has

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1420 blossomed over the years into a deep and special bond.

“Over four years have passed since MaKenna and I were matched through Mentor Duluth,” Mary said. “And I quickly learned that the most important thing I could be to MaKenna was a dependable, consistent person in her life. What I didn’t realize was that MaKenna became the same type of person in my life.

“Sometimes, our outings are planned adventures, like visiting the Great Lakes Aquarium or jumping at the trampoline park, and other times we like to work on crafts together or watch a movie,” she said. “As our friendship grew and MaKenna got older, our match steadily shifted to a more comfortable, sister-like relationship. Some of our best conversations take place when we’re running errands together, walking my dog, doing yard work, or just hanging out. This is when we are most relaxed, focused on understanding each other, and simply enjoying being together.

“I love the way MaKenna and I hold each other accountable for meeting our goals,” Mary added. “She always brings a new perspective, and helps me think things through in a new way.

“My favorite memory with MaKenna was asking her to be a bridesmaid in my wedding, and then having her by my side all day. It has truly been a joy to watch MaKenna grow and mature from the quiet, shy seventh-grader I met in 2016. More changes will come as MaKenna graduates high school and moves onto other dreams, but I’m thankful to have built a friendship that will last a lifetime.”

Deep ties

Working in the field of mentoring isn’t just a career for Moldowski. She also has a deep, personal connection to the benefits of this special relationship. As such, she can highly vouch for the positive aspects of being a volunteer mentor.

“My older sister, Sheila, was a mentor to a girl named Whitney,” Moldowski said. “Whenever I’d come to Duluth to visit Sheila in college, I’d hang out with them both.

“Whitney was in Sheila’s wedding, and they are still close today,” she added. “Whitney is now in her mid-20s. I speak from the heart when I say mentoring is transformative for both the mentor and the mentee.”

For more information, visit mentornorth.org. D