(Editor's Note: This is part of a series of occasional columns written by students participating in a children's writing group at Inklings Children's Books in Waitsfield).
January is National Mentoring Month. It began in 2002 and its goal is to get the word out about the benefits of mentorship. Research has shown that mentoring can improve academic performance, build confidence, and bring people together. Two organizations are working in the Mad River Valley to make mentoring a possibility.
Everybody Wins! Vermont is a literacy based mentoring program. "Mentors are volunteers from the community who want to spend an hour a week reading and playing games with a student,” explained Marci Lutsky, the school site coordinator for Everybody Wins.
“Between October and May they have the choice to meet on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays.” Marci also said, "Some students say it’s their favorite day of the week knowing that their special person is coming just to see them. And mentors enjoy it just as much."
Also in the community, there is Mad River Mentoring. This program pairs mentors 21 and over with Mad River Valley kids for fun activities, two to four times a month.
"I think the relationships that form are really important," said Kathy Mai, Mad River Mentoring's program manager. "I work hard to ensure that matches do well together, and are able to grow."
We also interviewed Annabel and Eliza, both current mentors, about their experience with the program. “I love being a mentor because I get to spend time every week with a new young friend and forge a fun relationship with her,” Eliza said.
"As mentors, we let the mentee take the lead. For me, it means listening, supporting, and providing opportunities to explore new experiences,” Annabel told me. "It’s really awesome to be able to experience things with someone for the first time – whether that’s live music, museums, or a basket of French Fries in a restaurant that neither of us have been to before.”
Those interested in becoming a mentor with Mad River Mentoring or Everybody Wins!, can contact MRM at
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