Mentoring Program

A Message from a CIS Mentor-

“I’m not sure what wonderful twist of fate brought me the good luck to become a mentor with an eighth grade student here in New Braunfels, Texas. I feel so privileged to mentor her, for she is an amazing young woman. 

As we are now beginning our fourth year together, she continues to bring me so many insights and so much joy. I was initially attracted to the concept of mentoring because I had led a mentoring initiative for colleagues in my profession and believe it to be a noteworthy endeavor. Those with more experience can share those experiences with someone younger or perhaps newer to the profession. The reciprocity of that sharing is so beneficial to both parties. I felt like the same might pertain to the mentoring program that Communities In Schools offers to students.

Each of us has challenges that must be met as we are growing up and I think this is particularly true these days for the young people in our nation. Often families are facing challenges, as well, and kids don’t get to choose their families, do they?

I sought to be making a contribution to society during my retirement and wanted to find the best way to do that. Mentoring a young person and bonding with them to try to help make their growing up experience a more positive one is an invaluable investment. My student mentee often reminds me that sometimes it’s as simple as listening. We live in a world where people are overwhelmed with noise and often just talk over each other. I cherish my time with my student and listening to the issues with which she’s dealing. When she has expressed gratitude to me, I often tell her that I think she gives more to me than I give to her!

Mentoring is so rewarding. You don’t have to have any special training, just a heart that cares, ears that listen and some time to give to another human being.

I feel so privileged to be part of the mentoring program at Communities In Schools and encourage anyone who has a good heart and cares about our nation’s youth to consider becoming a mentor.“