January is National Mentoring Month

By Dr. Larry Nickens, Goldsboro Pediatrics

National Mentoring Month is a month-long campaign dedicated to inspiring adults to take a role in mentoring America’s youth. Recent studies have found that programs such as mentoring can play a large role in reducing drug abuse and youth violence, while at the same time providing a better opportunity for young people to lead a healthy and productive life.

Some children and young adults already have a stable, caring adult in their life to provide them with guidance and direction. However, many lack the influence of a positive adult role model and end up having to go through life un-guided.

What do mentors do?
A mentor is someone who provides support, guidance, friendship as well as respect to a child or young adult. Mentors are able to build on the child’s strengths and lessen the child’s weaknesses. Mentors share in a child’s interests; offer advice and support; give praise; listen; be a friend. Mentors help young people to reach their full potential and they know that small failures often precede major successes. They always encourage children and young adults to keep trying because those successes are right around the corner.

What can you do?
Becoming a mentor can prove to be one of the most satisfying and rewarding experiences you can have. It can give you the opportunity to make a difference in a young adult’s life. Whether or not you are qualified to become a mentor or if it is right for you is a question that weighs on one’s mind. All you need to have to become a mentor is to be caring, responsible and a good listener. Most communities offer a variety of different programs that will work with your life and busy schedule. The first step to officially becoming a mentor will include filling out an application, interviewing with someone already in the program and a background check for the child’s safety and yours. Once these steps have been taken will be sent through orientation and you can begin your volunteer work as a mentor.

Did you know?

• Kids who have mentors are less likely to take part in risky behaviors. Kids who have mentors also report that they are more confident of their school performance and more likely to get along with others. (Big Brothers Big Sisters Impact Study, 1995)
• The feedback and advice that mentors give can guide children to make more positive decisions. You can help build self-esteem and self-confidence. These traits can give children the inner strength they need to make better decisions when faced with a challenge.
• The number of young people involved in structured one-to-one mentoring relationships has increased 20 percent, from 2.5 million to 3 million.

Mentoring is defined as an ongoing relationship between a caring adult and a young person. Being a mentor means helping a child or young adult become the best possible person that they can be. It is a very rewarding task and you can help make a difference in your community. To learn more about mentoring and find programs in your community visit www.mentoring.com.

About Goldsboro Pediatrics
Goldsboro Pediatrics’ goal is to optimize the growth and development of children to ensure their success as healthy, happy and productive adults in tomorrow’s society. Physician offices are located in Goldsboro, Mt. Olive, Princeton and La Grange. For further information, please visit www.goldsboropediatrics.com.