WEDNESDAY, December 28, 2011
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Island Living Friends
FOREVER Mentors forge relationships with children that can last a lifetime
by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONG
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Editor/Associate Publisher
ohn Olson spends time every week with a little boy who loves to go crabbing, chop wood – and eat sweets. "He is well disciplined, except when it comes to asking for candy," laughs Olson, who has been part of the Funhouse's mentor program for three months. He is following in the footsteps of his wife Suzanne, who has been mentoring a young girl for the past five years. "Suzanne inspired and encouraged me to do it," John said. “The best thing is the enjoyment that I have seen Suzanne have with her mentee. I enjoy the company of my little buddy, but I think there is a societal obligation: there are a lot of boys without fathers around. I was raised without a father and I understand the need for boys to have male role models." The Funhouse Commons' mentor program provides island kids with one-on-one mentor matches. The children's ages range from second grade through high school, and it's about 60 percent girls and 40 percent boys. There are currently 18 adults participating as mentors, but there is a need for more. It entails a one-year commitment and at least one hour a week of quality time spent with a child. Typical activities are going to the beach, working on a project and doing activities outside. "You have to be committed to that child, for at least a year. You have to be dependable,� said program director Jodi Luft, who is herself a mentor. “The kids are counting on you to be there on a set day. And it works both ways. The kids need to be there too." The program accepts children from any background. Sometimes mentors meet prospective mentees at a community event or the Funhouse hears about kids from counselors at the school. “Absolutely anyone is eligible,� Luft said. “You can never have too many people who care about you.� January is mentor appreciation month. The Funhouse's next training session is set for Feb. 11. After that initial training, mentors can meet once a month with other
volunteers, but it is not mandatory. The pair also bake cakes nearly every week. Luft, who also drives a school bus, has known her "They set up their cake ingredients, go do the manly mentee since she was born. stuff, and then come back in and bake," Suzanne said. “We had a mentor for her sister, so I decided to menThe boy also brings home baked goods and kindling tor her,â€? she said. “We go to the beach, I've taken her to for his family. Oregon to visit family. She likes to brush my horses and “He is an at age where he is curious about things and ride ‌ She reminds me to its fun to share his enthusiasm,â€? have fun and to forget John said. “I teach him a lot of about being the adult. It safety stuff about whatever we do. gives me an excuse to be I taught him to safely light a fire young.â€? in our fireplace. He loves to chop A lot of adults and kindling.â€? their young friends stay Suzanne says her husband is close even after they a great teacher with a lot of difgraduate, something ferent skills. John expects to be that Suzanne anticipates a mentor through the boy's high with her mentee. school years. “I plan to be involved “I will probably have to talk in her life as long as I to him about girls soon, to warn am living,â€? she said. “It's him,â€? he joked. a really good match. We The families of their mentees have developed a trust are very involved in their relaand rapport that allows tionships – both of them attended us to do a lot of fun stuff John's birthday party. together." “Having raised four kids Colleen Smith Armstrong/staff photo Suzanne and her John and Suzanne Olson (in the back) and Jodi Luft. myself, it's really a pleasure to get friend have published to spend time with a child witha chapbook of poetry, out the pressures of what do I done creative writing, gone on backpacking trips and need to do, what this child has to do for school,â€? she said. played soccer. She says she has “re-learned the value of “I am free of all those strings. I just get to be present. It is giggling and being sillyâ€? as a result of her mentoring. such a treat. I get to follow their interests and our mutual “We're gearing up for a really big project,â€? Suzanne interests without all the pressures of parenting ‌ even said. “She loves theatre, drama and singing, so she wants when you don't think you have time for one more thing, to go to New York. We are doing 'Walk to New York,â€? there is always time for a kid.â€? and will walk 10,000 steps a day. We are hoping to get in 450 miles in 90 days and raise money so she can go to New York in the summertime.â€? John and his young buddy ride the lawn mower For more information about the mentoring protogether, chop wood and go crabbing in his boat. gram at the Funhouse Commons, email Jodi Luft at “I even let him drive the boat, with my help,â€? he said. sjqtrhorses@centurytel.net. “He was in hog heaven.â€?
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