Mentoring Moves Mountains Program

Coordinator Report

May/June 2010

The Mentoring program is thriving and contributing to the life of the community. It is evident in the ways in which people deal with conflicts in a stronger way, in the ways in which perceive themselves and in their desire and eagerness to participate in programming for skill development and other workshops provided through the Mentoring program. People are enjoying the outings, the gatherings with the Mentees and the Mentors and the opportunity to get together on talk about issues pertaining to their lives. Through the evaluation we have come to understand more about people’s needs. In the future we want to provide more specific workshops and guest speakers on mental health issues. This is something affecting everyone in the community and is an opportunity to connect in a stronger way with our partner agencies. In June and July we will have presentations on linking the issues of poverty locally and globally with presentations from Brigitte Scobie from OCHC and Wendy from the Baby Cupboard of the CCHC. We also have a visit to the new Museum of Civilization later this week. People will continue to meet with their Mentors for June and July. We are suspending the program in August as I am on holidays. It is also good to have a bit of a break for the participants and the Mentors. Summer is a busy time.

Recently, we carried out an evaluation of the program by the Mentees and Mentors. I have the completed summary report of the Mentees and am providing these comments from the summary report.

“I really enjoy my one-on-one meetings with my mentor. I can talk to someone and not be judged. I can’t wait for the next workshop.”

“The (Mentoring) program benefits the community by giving us tools to believe in ourselves and that we can have fun and find support. It is helping us deal with stress.”

“The program is already helping at least 50 people in our community.”

“It is of benefit to the people because it gives a chance to go to see and talk to other people... It also gives us a chance to get out and do something different.”

“It helps me because I have things to do now during the day. I feel a sense of belonging, first time I have felt that in a long time. It is helping me speak out more and think more about things.”

“One of my goals is to help people, encourage them. I want to make some changes in my own life. I can move mountains – my confidence has increased.”

“I have conquered some fear. The program has changed my thinking. I think more clearly. I feel I can achieve more and I feel a sense of belonging. ‘I belong to myself.’ I have a better sense of my own boundaries.”

“The program must continue. It is helping more people than you can imagine.”

We have a bustling community with many ideas. People are more actively involved than ever and have good ideas for potential growth in our programs. The Mentoring program, I think, is one reason this is so. We have made forward strides in helping people develop confidence, courage and interest. These qualities translate into more interest in affordable housing, employment, taking more initiative and finding more support to move toward more concrete goals. Over the last few months we have provided a Cooking & Budgeting program, a Tea Time with discussion about fair trade and world issues, outings to events, and workshops on self-esteem and bridge-building in our life transitions, gatherings for the Mentees and also a gathering of Mentees and Mentors together to talk about goals and hopes in the program and in people’s lives. The participation is always excellent and the mood is one of learning, dedication and respect for one another. In the next few weeks we will have a Comedy Workshop with Alan Shain, one of the most respected and well-known comics to speak in disability and mental health issues through the use of humour and dignity. We also have a presentation coming up on OCHC and its role in the community and discussion with Brigitte Scobie, and employee of OCHC. Participants of the program are already looking forward, as are Mentors, to see what is possible for the next stage of the Mentoring program.

The first year, as the pilot project of the program, has been very successful, I think. The evidence is there. As we continue in the Fall 2010, provided the funding is available, I hope to continue this momentum and create some new opportunities as part of the program. We want to create opportunities for youth to get involved in the program as mentees. We would also then need people to mentor them. We would draw from our church volunteers as well as young adults in the community already involved with the youth in activities. Youth in our community face multiple barriers and challenges. We want to provide support to them through the Mentoring program, if possible. I think this is a good idea. I hope that the funding will be made available to do so.

Also, in terms of the regular participants of the Mentoring program, I would like these one-on-one mentoring relationships to continue as well as the group and workshop activities. I would like to develop more concrete workshops, as people develop with their goals, to provide more specific support in skill development in affordable housing, employment, support with social programs and guest speakers from other agencies. We have begun to provide some opportunities for people to become leaders in their Carlington community. In the next stage of the program I would like to find ways to help people develop these ideas into concrete action. People are beginning to see the potential in themselves and in their neighbourhood. I think the next stage is to provide leadership development for individual goals and also community activity. As Coordinator I would work to provide leadership training and development to youth and adults in the program. One idea could involve community economic development in our Chaplaincy community. We are the beginning stages of something like this but I think there is great potential for it. If we develop this idea and it becomes stable there might be funding available for it. I am currently in conversation with Wendy, Greg, and Linton regarding this idea.

The Mentoring Visioning Committee has been instrumental in support over the last months. We are working toward creating a fundraising campaign for the program. Again, I will reapply for funding from the United Church of Canada Foundation. I am hopeful about this prospect as there may be more money available this year. We have had a very successful start. It is good to be able to go to our funders with concrete impact of the program’s well-being.

Over this past year the Council has been wonderfully supportive of all ideas. I thank you for having faith in this program and the potential yet to come. Our challenge, of course, is to face the funding questions with hope, dedication and concrete action, which often begins with our own resources. Right now we need to secure bridge funding in the amount of about $6,000.00 in order to continue the program. I think it is possible for us to do so and continue the ministry we have provided through the Mentoring program as part of the Chaplaincy as a whole. Thanks to the volunteers and all Council members for all your support and dedication over the last several months. Let’s move to the challenges with faith and integrity.

Darlene Brewer