Mentoring

As the end of another school year comes to a close, I still get excited about Summer.

I have been out of high school for 10 years this May, yes, 10 years and they seem to fly by faster by the day.

I look forward to lighter traffic as I work, a vacation with my Godchildren and best friend, and the warm to hot summer days that seem to last forever.

There is one aspect of summer that I have grown to dislike and that is my routine of seeing my Mentee, Summer (coincidence?)

I have been Summer’s mentor for two years now, and it has been an absolutely amazingly rewarding process.

I was introduced to the Jasper County Mentor Program two years ago and at the urging of my mother, accepted the invitation to volunteer my time of one hour a day, one day a week.

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That amount of time seemed so minimal at the time. A light commitment that surely anyone can manage.

I see Summer during school hours (well at least I did at first) and I also enjoy picking her up for Scouts and sporting events that she is involved in.

Summer has grown to teach me more than I ever would have imagined when I first signed up.

I find myself looking forward to seeing her each week, and I know she reciprocates those feelings when we sit down at lunch and ask “what did you do this week?” And she smiles that sweet little smile, actually interested in what I did at work this week.

I’ve learned as much from her if not more than she has learned from me.

In addition to Summer, I have (at least for the previous two years) grown to get to know and love all of the students in Summer’s classes. They all become a part of me throughout the year, with a majority of them asking one of two questions…a. Are you Summer’s mom? or Can you be my mentor? All of which I usually laugh and answer that I can be their friend and that I am not Summer’s mom, that her mom is Jennifer but that we hang out and have girls days sometimes.

Through the Mentor Program, we attend fun and education field trips. We’ve been to the University of Georgia, Dauset Trails, the Botanical Gardens, we have Christmas programs where a Drum Cafe presented and the Atlanta Zoo also brought animals.

Basically, being a mentor is my little way of reliving my ‘school days.’ It gives me reason to look forward to outings, and lunch with my Summer.

So do yourself a favor and lend an hour to become a mentor. I guarantee it’ll be as rewarding for you as it is for them. Call Jehan, program director at 706-816-0465.