6 minute read
Mentoring & Tutoring Programs
Katie Wilson, Mentoring Coordinator
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Amanda McKay, Mentoring Coordinator
What our kids say about their mentors:
A good listener / is supportive of me / does not judge me / someone who helps me / guides me / teaches me right from wrong / comfortable with me / open with me / is very understanding / helps me with schoolwork / always there for me / takes me places / is nice / makes me feel better about myself / someone I can trust / I can tell them things / is kind / dependable /meaningful conversations / is fun
"I recently retired and wanted to serve others in our community. The Moore Buddies Mentoring Program was looking for men to mentor boys in our public schools so I signed up and started in February 2022.
It has been a joy to help Nhalyn and Vi'Zir improve their reading and teach them Pickle Ball. I have also been inspired by the teachers and administrators at Aberdeen Elementary and Southern Pines Middle School "
- Mark Hamilton, Mentor
"I've taken Imani to watch Willet play high school tennis, play at the park, play card games, walk around town, and last weekend her first pumpkin carving and carving party! She also had her first enchilada (which she didn't like) She is open to new experiences and I love that about her. She is is a good kid!"
-jessie Schillaci, Mentor
"I am grateful for the mentorship that I've been given over the past years. Having the opportunity to learn from my mentor, Ms Cynthia, and the staff has made a substantial change in my life because I wanted to an entrepreneur, but I think now I want to be a mentor I want to help kids out I don't want them to do the things I did as a kid, you know? And when we first began working together, I never imagined I would be able to make as much progress as I have "
Nikara, Mentee
Over 4 Years of Mentoring and Counting- Bobby & Isaiah
"I was introduced to Moore Buddies by Joyce, a longtime friend. With our kids now married adults and our grandkids (only one at the time) not close enough for frequent interaction, I realized that just maybe I was a good candidate to become a mentor My wife, Patricia, was in agreement and became a key player in the effort
Isaiah and Bobby then...
Bobby and Isaiah now.
From a short list of possibilities, Joyce and I selected a twelve-year-old boy, and the work and fun began.
I didn't have much of a clue about what we would be doing, so I started trying to match his needs with what I had to offer I soon realized that I couldn't meet every need, but there were many opportunities to help him Living with his mother and younger sister, he desperately needed interaction with an adult male. He also greatly needed a lot of encouragement. Communication was a bit of a problem since I am not a great conversationalist and he would barely speak at all, but we have worked through that at least to some degree
He needed the opportunity to do stuff away from the apartment, so I included him in various projects around my house and at my shop. I had him do yard work and help with other projects for which I paid him and helped him save for times when he needed a little extra money We both like sports, so we attended several school sporting events as well as several minor league baseball games Together we repaired and painted his bedroom furniture and got a new (used) bed for him
One of the greatest influences in our children's teenage years was their involvement in the youth group at our church, so with the approval of his mother, I got our mentee involved in that same group Some of his school friends were already there, and he has made friends with many more He attends almost every week, sometimes more than once He has also been with this group on various day trips, weekend excursions, and even week-long retreats and mission trips.
One more unique thing Patricia and I have done is to include him in several family events including holiday gatherings and week-long family vacations also including our grandson In many ways, we have treated him as a grandson We also have ministered to his mother in many ways such as helping her get a vehicle through a program called Wheels-to-Work, helping her get a good used washer and dryer, helping her get assistance with overdue bills, and offering her a lot of encouragement.
It has been four and a half years now, and the things we do together and the way we approach things have evolved as he gets older and his needs, interests, and activities have changed, but I will just say that I believe this young fellow has come a long way and the experience has been good for Patricia and I as well."
- Bobby Teague, Mentor
