Discovering Options prides itself on the quality of mentors their program provides to the community. Check out these biographies of current mentors and see just how dedicated these highly-qualified mentors are to their protégés.
Paul LaFata
Paul LaFata has been a Discovering Options mentor for two years. He became a mentor because he wanted to make a real impact on someone’s life. Activities with his protégé include bicycling, fishing, going to movies, renting movies, and going to the St. Louis Art Museum. On one occasion, his protégé wanted to bake a cake for his mother’s birthday, so they did that together.
LaFata describes Discovering Options as a thoughtful and meaningful program. “Before they even get a mentor involved, they put a lot of thought and structure into identifying protégés and matching them up with mentors,” he said. When LaFata is not mentoring, he enjoys playing the piano, reading and traveling. He worked in management information consulting, but is now retired. He resides in Webster Groves.
Johnessia Jones
Johnessia Jones has been a Discovering Options since May 2007. She likes being a positive role-model and providing different options for her protégé. Activities with her protégé include eating ice cream, going to the science center and library, and taking a trip to Six Flags last summer.
Jones feels Discovering Options truly supports their mentors. “They are definitely available if you have questions,” Jones said. “The mentor training allows you to improve and be the best mentor for your protégé you can be.” Jones just graduated from Washington University with a Masters in Social Work. She is originally from Kansas City, Mo., and now resides in St. Louis.
Kat Deppeler
Kat Deppeler is a graduate student at Washington University. Her first long-term experience with working with the youth began with Discovering Options in January 2007. Kat truly believes that her mentoring can change perspectives for her protégé, “simply exposing kids to new people, places, and activities is eye opening.” This belief keeps her actively committed to her mentor goals even when she is extremely busy with graduate school and other obligations.
In her free time Kat enjoys playing basketball, cooking, reading, volunteering for other organizations, playing video games, and traveling. Kat has done a great job with sharing her favorite hobbies with her protégé, Kevin, and has found that he has a knack for cooking!
Claire Ward
Claire Ward, a St. Louis native, is a 22-year old graduate student at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. She just finished her first semester in UMSL’s social work program. A runner and athlete, Claire loves to play soccer and be outdoors. She also enjoys reading and spending time with her family and friends. She started mentoring a year ago with Discovering Options and finds it very fun,
“It gives me a chance to be a 10-year old kid again. I get to run around on a playground and act like I'm 10 again. I have just as much fun as he has and we hit it off right away.”
Claire believes mentoring makes a real impact in a young person’s life. Since becoming a Discovering Options mentor, Clair has been resourceful in finding fun activities that fit into a graduate student’s budget. Claire takes advantage of St. Louis’s Forest Park and the Zoo, for example. The Science Center is another favorite. Most of the time, Claire tries to encourage physical fitness by taking her protégé on walks in the park or hiking trails. It’s free and it’s good for the duo.
