Program News 2006
Good Times, Good Food, Great Company!
In the last week of August, program participants gathered with mentors and Good Shepherd staff for the Fourth Annual Mentor/Mentee Barbeque on the rooftop patio of our 17th Street facility. Prospective mentors and mentees were also in attendance to have a first hand look at mentoring in action.
A delicious selection of various foods was grilled to order while our youth and their mentors socialized and celebrated their relationships. One staff member commented that it was like seeing several generations of youth and mentors - "Some of the young people here started out with a mentor years ago before aging out of the foster care programs and have moved on to our Chelsea Foyer or to living independently, and some are just beginning the relationship now."
Good Shepherd's mentoring program matches adolescents in our residential and foster boarding home program with a caring adult volunteer who provides ongoing support, attention and guidance. Mentors expose our youth to new experiences and act as positive adult role models. The program has been highly successful; with many of our young people forming a long-term connection with a nurturing adult. Group mentoring experiences, which are usually centered on activities or projects related to job readiness, such as creating a piece of art or roundtable discussions on job and career issues, are also an important part of the program.
If you are interested in becoming involved with Good Shepherd's mentoring program, please click here for more information, or email Shirley_Salomon@goodshepherds.org.
September 7, 2006
