APRIL 2020
Thank you for your generous contributions!
Even though BTO mentoring on campus ended abruptly last month, each of the community Mentor Coordinators have been in regular contact with mentors. Whenever possible they have connected mentors and students via email and snail-mail. Here are some of the bright stories:
Via Email one mentee wrote: “I really miss seeing you, but at least we can email.” She shared about what was going on in her home and included a picture and description of her new Guinea pigs. The mentor wrote back:” It’s so good to hear from you! It really brightens my day.” She included a picture she colored with an inspirational message.
~Lisa Reynolds LHS Mentor Coordinator
Breeze (name changed) was new to our school and community. Her family was in transition and there was tension about who she would live with, where (including what state) or what her living schedule would look like. She was living with grandparents in our district while things were settling. All in all a tough transition for a high schooler. Then enter the COVID-19 quarantine. Her living situation shifted quickly (temporarily), which switched to an indefinite, unknown future. Through email Breeze communicated with Judy, her mentor, how she was settling into life living with her Dad in another part of Whatcom County. She talked about the bedroom furniture she and her Dad were building out of pallets. She even sent pictures and explained ideas for decorating.The sense of purpose and accomplishment was evident hinting toward a hopeful, while yet unknown, future.
~ Jim Schmotzer NV Mentor Coordinator
Many mentors have been writing to their mentees and it was suggested the mentors send a self-addressed stamped envelope with the letters. This has proven to be helpful, because at least 6-10 students have written back to their mentors. The students are mentioning how great it is to receive something in the mail. One mentor sent her student a bag of kettle corn, a coffee card and on another day the mentor arranged for a pizza to be delivered to the house. One mentor decided to send a journal and some pens via Amazon to her student. When the student received the gift she was nervous that she had ordered something accidentally. When she got a letter from her mentor stating otherwise, she was ecstatic about the gift. Those two have continued to write back and forth a few times. One mentor got permission to buy a smoothie and scone from Woods Coffee and personally deliver it to the mentee’s house. The mentee was very surprised and thankful.
~ Brian Clemmer, LMS Mentor Coordinator
So far, we have 8 mentors and mentees exchanging emails. There are about 6 more mentees that are almost connected to their mentors. Students talk about their experience of the pandemic and their feelings about it. One student wrote about how she is sad and bored; she is an extrovert who played a Spring sport, now stuck at home during her senior year. The last couple weeks have been big transitions, and people are responding in different ways.
~ Annie Anderson, FHS Mentor Coordinator
All this and more, thanks to our essential Mentor Coordinators still working from home despite school closures. Your donations make their continued work possible!
Your support safeguards your BTO Mentor Coordinator’s wages.
Thank you!
– Nancy
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