STORIES TO SHARE/ GENERAL UPDATE:
One match at a time BTO at LCHS continues to grow! When I started this job in August I really wasn’t sure what to expect, but I am consistently encouraged by the excitement of the LC staff and community. I am excited to get to know each student who walks through my door and grateful to each mentor who is willing to volunteer their time. I was able to make yet another match this month and the plan is to connect another pair during the first week of February. I currently only have one mentor who is patiently waiting to be matched with just the right student, so we are looking to expand our mentor pool.
This month we hosted a student voices panel for mentors to get a glimpse into the lives of the students that are being served by BTO. While I was bummed that an LC student couldn’t attend (because of the exam schedule), I was so thankful to be able to hear student voices from Lynden, Ferndale, and Nooksack.
On the 26th I attended a ZOOM through Mentor Washington, which was titled “Building Relationships with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Communities.” It was insightful to hear from other mentor coordinators across our state to hear what their struggles, triumphs, and ideas are in relation to this topic and to also have the opportunity to ask questions from the speaker.
RECRUITING MENTORS:
- I have scheduled another Information/ Orientation Session for February 11 (see below). I have advertised it in various places including Lyncs Lines, and am hopeful that we will have a few people sign up.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENTS:
- With the addition of another match in January our total is up to five matches meeting regularly. Another match is set to start meeting during the first week of February, which would bring our total to six. I continue to pray that each relationship would be an encouragement to both the mentor and mentee, and that it would bring bring joy and consistency in our ever changing world.
UPCOMING PLANS:
- In February, I am hosting a Information Session/ New Mentor Orientation on Thursday, February 11, from 2:00-4:00pm at LCHS. I would love to see some new faces come through even if it is just to explore the possibility of becoming a mentor- Spread the word!
- I have also drafted a “postcard” to send to students with a special treat reminding them that Be The One is here to serve them.