“I have been mentoring India for a little over a year now, and what an amazing experience this has been.  I decided to start mentoring while completing my social work practicum at Discovering Options last fall.  India and I have such a special relationship. I can tell how much India looks forward to our time together, and we both have such a blast no matter what we are doing. Some of our favorite outings have been the Discovering Options monthly events, bowling, making a pizza from scratch, seeing movies, among countless others. I am a graduate student, so I was a little worried about the cost, but luckily this has not been an issue and India is completely understanding.  She is just happy to get out of the house and spend time with me, even if it is just to help me run some errands.  It is rare that anyone is given the opportunity to make such a positive impact on a child’s life. These children need and benefit so much from having a strong, positive role model in their lives, so I am always telling people to consider mentoring. Plus, it is fun! I have loved being a kid again, while also giving a child the special attention she deserves. India has grown so much in the past year, and I like to think that I have played at least a small role in this. Likewise, I also think that India has helped me grow and taught me a lot about friendship and what is important in life. (Thank you Discovering Options! ”       Ellie

“We mentor as a way to DIRECTLY help kids to learn HOW TO fish RATHER THAN looking for handouts of fishes. Getting more deeply and actively involved also lets us substitute time and effort for money since I retired. We asked for 2 proteges since we were volunteering as a couple.”   “We started mentoring Eniya and Kameisha on May 22, 2008. Wow; 3 1/2 years! Our relationships with the girls remain friendly, even loving. A while back, someone at Discovering Options asked the girls about our relationships. Eniya answered that she could TRUST us. That really caught our attention and pleased us no end.”  “I recommend that other mentors provide their proteges with as wide a VARIETY of learning experiences as possible. Try to convince them that it really, REALLY is better for them in the longer run to stay in school ALL THE WAY, to work hard in school, and to stay away from drugs and booze.” “For those who are considering mentoring, we stress that it warms the cockles of your heart to see proteges obviously responding positively.”

Terry & Kathy Breeding