Behind the scenes at Mentor KR, we're in the throws of creating an exciting new youth mentoring program that focuses on getting college students out into the community to mentor youth. After a successful Volunteer Fair at UW-Parkside, numerous students have expressed interest in youth mentoring. The Men of Excellence group on-campus is also currently preparing to mentor as a group with the Godfather's Mentoring Program in Racine.

With so many students ready to mentor and make a difference, Mentor KR is organizing a unique mentoring program run by students at UW-Parkside. Inspired by the DREAM village mentoring model, Mentor KR is organizing a group mentoring cohort where students gather as an ensemble to collectively mentor youth in our community. This is a great model for a program because college students benefit just as much as the kids do, and there is a lot of power in working together to make a difference in a child's life.

We're currently in the planning phase of this exciting new project, and will launch it full swing in the Fall 2013 semester. If you or someone you know is a college student who would love to learn more about this opportunity, don't hesitate to contact our program assistant, Michael Pfeiffer, at pfeif013@rangers.uwp.edu. 

Delonte Carter has been a very active member in the UW-Parkside community since his freshman year. Now, he serves as the President for the Men of Excellence, an on-campus organization dedicated to the success of young males in our community. I've had the pleasure of sitting down with Delonte and talking about the new plans in the works to have Men of Excellence reach out to young males in the community. Check out what he has to say!

1. For starters, what is the Men of Excellence?

Men of Excellence is an organization that is solely based empowered males and male leadership. Just making men, no matter their background or where they came from, but making sure that, through college, they'll get the skills and knowledge that they need to be successful. A lot of times, from what I noticed growing up, males seem more likely to be targeted and have a run-in with the law. Even with those kinds of men, we try to turn things around and give them the chance to succeed.

2. What defines a "Man of Excellence?"

Someone who is still striving for success and doesn't let obstacles get in the way. We all go through a lot of difficult things, but it's someone who can face those obstacles and just say "it happened, and now I have to do something different," that makes someone "excellent." As long as you're on the right path and trying to do better, excellence will always be that outcome. We all do that in our organization, and we all do it together.

Thank you Delonte and the Men of Excellence, for being such an inspiration. We can't wait to support you as this becomes a fully realized endeavor!

 We're always trying to put great mentors in the spotlight.  Check out our Star Mentor for April! 

Ruth Johnson is a mentor with RUSD and has developed a great friendship with her mentee, Mart'a. The two have become so close that they don't want the school year to end. They're planning on spending the summer together, outside of RUSD. Here's a letter that Ruth wrote to David Power, the Coordinator for RUSD's Mentoring Program:

I was surprised to see the timetable for mentoring. How can we be talking about the end of school already. I feel like Mart'a and I have just started!

I am planning to meet with Mart'a throughout the summer. I just talked with his mother about Mart'a and I having a community garden plot at the 6th St and Marquette St. location. With Mart'a's home near Jefferson School, the garden is in the neighborhood. I will be talking with Mart'a about this tomorrow but I wanted to touch base with his mother first. I am not much of a gardener but I have several friends (both retired teachers) who are willing to help. I will finance the plot and the supplies we need.

I also talked with Ms Walker about sponsoring Mart'a for a week in August at River Bend Summer Camp. My husband and I will take care of Mart'a's registration and daily transportation for the week of camp. Tomorrow I will talk with Mart'a about this, too. (My March monthly report tells of our "adventures" at River Bend over Spring Break. I have also sent you some pictures from this event.)

I am going under the assumption that there isn't an problem with a mentor doing these activities. If there is, please advise me. I do know that you have not received a transportation permission from me. Ms Walker completed it. Ms Woida, Mart'a's teacher received it BUT with all the snow interference the form is missing at McKinley. If it is not located by tomorrow, we will start over!

Thank you.
Ruth Bradford-Johnson

Thank you, Ruth, for being an inspiration.

Here are some great links for mentors to find useful tools for mentoring! Use these resources to improve your skills in developing healthy relationships with your mentees. And it's totally free! You have to check this out!

    

 
This is also a FREE online course for mentoring. It's an interactive website that gives information from real mentors. Through this course you will gain self-confidence in handling difficult situations, bonding with your mentee and create a stronger relationship. Click the link below to get started!

And yet another great resources, called Step-It-Up-2-Thrive. Created by the Thrive Foundation for Youth, it's all about "Sparks," those secret strenghts in your mentee that are waiting to be discovered. Read up so you can find out how to discover the hidden potential in the youth you're mentoring!

Be sure to check us out here as well!