Summer is finally here. For some it could not have come fast enough. With summer, comes a break from school, sleeping in, camps, and graduations. One mentoring pair had to say goodbye to each other this year because the mentor was graduating from Wheaton College and moving out of the area. After spending the past two school years building an encouraging relationship through playing basketball, reading the Bible, finishing homework, and baking, the road of life this match was sharing came to a fork.

I was able to talk to the mentee’s mother (who is also a mentor) and she told me that their whole family had become fond of her son’s mentor. Able to know each other more through the Mentoring program, the family and the mentor became close. Giving the mentor a graduation gift, and reminding him to call when he got a chance, this family and the mentor made their goodbyes. Judging by the closeness that this pair shares, they will continue to be in touch.

The beauty of 1-to-1 Mentoring is that it possesses the unique ability to foster relationships and watch as they grow. As Mentors and mentees meet every week, over time, the growth of each pair is shared with the staff, volunteers, and families. Life is shared and experienced together as mentors/mentees play games, bake cookies, complete puzzles, fly kites, and teach each other.

As graduating from Wheaton and moving towards the next step in his career draws an end to being a mentor, the time he has spent with his mentee will have a lasting impact in both of their lives.

-- Posted by Intern Extraordinaire , Eric Hawley