Mentor, Parent & Child Safety Meeting

Don't forget--Club M is hosting a Safety Training for everyone in our program! That's all Mentors and Parents and Kids.  We'll cover keeping kids safe, healthy relationships, and what to do if you or some one you know needs help.  We'll serve supper and have childcare available.

Mentor, Mentee, and Family Training

 Thursday, February 9th

6:00 PM to 7:30PM

 ISU Extension Office

127 N. Main St.

Dinner and Child Care Provided

Thank you to all of the mentors and parents who attended our January Safe Kids Meeting.

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Happy Birthday to You!

Mentees

Tyler, Marcus, Wyatt, Walker, Hunter, Heavyn, Katelyn, Markell, Austin, Meela, Maleena, Meena, Cera

Mentors

Linda, Hunter, Mackenzie, Taylor

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Stuff to Do

• Catch a high school basketball game
• Go Sledding--perhaps February will be the month we get enough snow for some winter wonderland activities
• Scavenger Hunt--indoor, outdoor, photo, all animals, whatever you think of.
• Play UNO, War, Speed, and other card games

Today more than ever kids interact with people from different races, ethnicities, religious groups, cultures, and family backgrounds. 

A person who learns to accept and appreciate differences will have more opportunities in education, business, and life.  Success in today's world-and tomorrow's-depends on being able to understand, appreciate, and work with others.

Mentors can help prepare kids to live, learn, and work in communities that are and will become, more diverse.  Kids who are exposed to adults who are loving, supportive, and accepting of them are more likely to be tolerant towards others. 

Just by providing an environment where different views are accepted leads kids to think of people positively and carry with them a sense of goodwill.  How a Mentor can help:

1. Show up and be positive.  Listen and respect what your mentee is saying
2. Celebrate differences: if your culture, heritage, or background is different from your mentee's, discuss it.  Talk about your cultural identity, ask your mentee about his/hers, and research cultures other than your own
3. Remember that kids are always listening: don't use stereotypes and help your mentee recognize when stereotypes are being used
4. Don't tolerate bad behavior: Tolerance is about respect--for you, for your mentee, and for others
5. Help your mentee feel good about him/herself: kids with strong self-esteem value and respect themselves and are more likely to treat others with respect.  Kids who feel bad about themselves are more likely to treat others poorly

So by being a consistent, positive part of your mentee's life, and showing the importance of accepting and celebrating diversity, your mentee will be better prepared for the ever-changing future! 

For more information and/or ideas on teaching kids to be tolerant visit www.teachingtolerance.org and www.kidhealth.org

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Practice your victory dance it's time to show off your skills!  The First Annual Bowl-a-Thon to benefit the Henry County Mentoring Program will be held at Iris Bowling Center on Saturday, February 18th.  A team of four is just $100.  There will be prizes, a silent auction, and everything raised will benefit Henry County kids. 

When:     Saturday, February 18th

Time:       1:00 PM until 4:00 PM

Where:    Iris Bowling Center

Cost:       $100 per four-person team

Prizes including Best Costume, Highest Score, Most Gutter Balls, etc.

Silent Auction with featured items: Tickets to Midwest Old Threshers Reunion, Passes to Mt. Pleasant Rec Center, Gift Certificates, Tickets to Mt. Pleasant Community Theatre, IWC Football Season Passes, and More! 

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