Why is mentoring so important?

Discovering Options mentors are making real, noticeable differences in the lives of disadvantaged children all over the St. Louis area. We are so proud of the relationships that Discovering Options has fostered by pairing enthusiastic and committed adults with terrific and deserving children. Every day we are amazed by the bonds formed and the progress made in these relationships. Currently, the program has 94 mentors paired with children and is actively seeking new mentors for the children who complete our Elementary PREP program.

There are many at-risk youth in the St. Louis area who have been chosen by their schools to benefit from a positive, adult role model, but a long waiting list has kept too many from beginning their Discovering Options experience. Please volunteer today and be part of a rewarding relationship, both for you and your protege!

Read these personal accounts from current mentors to see what awaits you:

“Discovering Options has given us the chance to meet people we normally wouldn’t, and has given us the opportunity to change the lives of children that typically don’t get the chance to go to the movies, berry picking, to baseball and football games.  It has helped us grow as adults by showing us that time and care can make a world of difference.  Slowing down our busy lives to make time for our protégés showed us to appreciate the things in life that we take for granted.  We are blessed to have been a part of this program, and I’m confident that it has touched our lives as much, if not more, than it touched the lives of our protégés.  Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to be involved and make a difference.” Amy L. Barnett, August 2011

“Discovering options gives an opportunity to both the protege and the mentor. Through this program, the protege is introduced to new and different experiences than he/she would otherwise have and the mentor gets to meet and spend quality and valuable time with an amazing child. Both parties receive rewards they could not have imagined before joining.” Jerri Bross, August 2011

“As a mentor, I have been able to form a close relationship with one child, and I have loved introducing her to new things. She so looks forward to our time together, and I really do think that I am making a difference in her life. Working with Discovering Options has been such an amazing experience for me, because we DO make a difference in the life of each child that we work with, by introducing them to new experiences, giving them one-on-one attention and a positive role model, and showing them that they have OPTIONS!” Ellie Yerke, August 2011