Mentoring Event Photos and Purpose
A new report from the New York Times says, based on a survey of school counselors from across the country, students are “frozen, socially and emotionally, at the age they were when the pandemic started.” Great Life Mentoring (GLM) aims to be an antidote.
Great Life Mentoring Group Event at Oaks Amusement Park — May 21, 2022
Our children and youth need time without stress. They need comfort and alleviation of suffering, and it is GLM's pleasure to provide exactly that.
It was a perfect spring day accompanied by sunshine when GLM hosted a celebration at Oaks Amusement Park in Portland last month. The park is among the oldest continually operating amusement parks in America. Its slogan is “where the fun never ends,” making it the perfect place for GLM’s event.
GLM is a 501(c)(3) public charity that utilizes trained community volunteers as mentors to support children with mental health needs from low-resource families. The mentoring model, an evidence-based practice, produces healthy relationships, well-being and belonging.
Whether they were recently matched or had been matched for years, these kids and their mentors enjoyed a day to remember.
Staff remarked that they saw smiles on the faces of some children for the first time. One of the kids reported that they wanted to go on all of the scary rides since this was their only chance to visit the park. Their mentor was kind enough to oblige.
GLM offered the children and their mentors full access to the amusement park. GLM staff and board members spent weeks preparing to host 85 mentors and children--about half of the organization’s overall participants. Along with food and drink, there were matching t-shirts, baseball caps, commemorative photos, souvenirs and games.
The event was sponsored by Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish of Vancouver, WA, whose Works of Mercy value was displayed through the granting of this special day. The Parish’s Community Grant Outreach Committee wanted the young people to enjoy a day free from the stress and troubles of their day-to-day lives.
For most of the children, this was the first and only time they would experience Oaks Amusement Park or anything like it, and it is likely to be something they will always remember. To this end, they have a tangible reminder that their community values them. Many of the youth expressed their thanks to the staff when leaving the event, and others sent messages later.
GLM children had ongoing companionship from their mentors, even during the pandemic. In fact, the community really stepped up in the face of difficult times, with more community members offering to volunteer during the pandemic than in typical years.
The hope is that children receiving GLM’s care are protected from the startling reality of The New York Times’s report.
GLM is celebrating 22 years of service to the community, and as a public charity, the board and staff are working to expand the organization’s reach to serve more children and increase equity.
There is a lot to celebrate!
Still, GLM has an ongoing need for volunteer mentors. Many children are waiting for their opportunity and want a mentor. Please contact GLM if you’d like to picture yourself as part of this healing movement.
