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Why Should I Mentor?
Mentorship is highly beneficial to the children of Clay County PALS. Meanwhile, mentors seem to gain from the experience as well. Clay County PALS often notices our adult mentors have as much fun as the children at many of our scheduled events. Through mentorship, our volunteers learn about themselves, share valuable life skills and passions, improve interpersonal skills, develop empathy and gain a deeper understanding of youth. Most importantly, mentors feel accomplished by positively impacting the life of the youngster they’ve been matched through PALS.
Most adults recognize the fact that mentors enriched our lives growing up, helping us see the world from a different angle and encouraging us in our developmental years. Clay County PALS Mentorship is a beautiful way to pay it forward by mentoring youth within our community. In PALS, we preach: Mentoring Matters.
Have Questions?
Answers for your frequently asked questions:
Who are the adult mentors in the program?
Our mentors come from diverse backgrounds. Mentors are regular people – just like you. You don’t need to have any special skills or degrees to become a mentor. You simply need to have the desire to positively impact a young person in Clay County, Iowa. You might be the perfect fit to become a PALS Mentor.
When do I spend time with my young PAL?
As a PAL Mentor, you decide with your young PAL what you’d like to do and when – pending approval of the youngster’s parent or guardian. We recommend you meet up with your PAL about twice a month or as time allows. You may decide to establish a consistent schedule for outings or get together when it works best for your schedule. The outings depend on the comfort levels between the young PALS’ parent or guardian, your mentee and you.
How much money should I spend?
Quality time you invest with your young PAL is more important than the amount of money you spend. We encourage you to seek outings that are free or low-cost, especially in the beginning of your relationship. The goal of PALS is to walk in friendship with your mentee and experience or learn NEW things together. Play a game, go for a bike ride, or create a craft together. The list of things to do is as long as your imagination. The Clay County PALS Board of Directors hosts group events most months. You are encouraged to bring your young mentee to PAL-sponsored events if it works into your schedule. These event expenses are fully covered by the PALS budget, and serve to introduce other PALS and mentors to each other in a fun environment together. As a mentor, you will receive an identification card, which grants your PAL mentee FREE access to the Clay County Heritage Center, Spencer Community Theatre and the Southpark 7 Movie Theatre, should you choose to visit one of these venues.
What are some good ideas for outings with my young PAL?
We recommend you select activities that give you and your mentee something to talk about. Go to the library and check out a book or buy a comic book together and read it. Play a board game, take a nature hike, head to the golf course and hit a bucket of balls or ride the trails on your bikes together. Visit an antique store and point out items that were used long ago. Plan to make a craft together, fill your flower pots or rake leaves together. Visit places that are common to you, but maybe not so familiar to your mentee. Learning and friendship often go hand-in-hand, and these outings can prove to be impactful life experiences for the youngsters.
Can I bring my spouse, a friend or family member on outings?
In the beginning, it’s most important that you and your mentee establish a healthy, trusting friendship by having appropriate time to get to know one another, which occurs best on a one-to-one basis. However, it’s important your mentee gets to know the people who are important to you, so your introduction to these people is important eventually in the relationship. Keep in mind: PALS is about spending time together, not necessarily with your spouse or others. Your mentee may become jealous if you bring others on outings with them so remain cognizant of this. Your number one goal is to develop a friendship with your PAL.
What kind of support can I expect from PALS once I get started?
Once you’re matched with your young PAL, the Clay County PALS Coordinator Susan Christensen will be in regular contact with you to provide updates, assistance and give/receive feedback. If you have any concerns, you should address them with Susan. You are also invited at any time to engage in communication with a member of the Clay County PALS Board of Directors Members to help you navigate a situation. All members of the PALS Leadership team are prepared to help you with ideas for activities, guidance for handling possibly difficult situations, and give feedback on how you are making a difference in your mentee’s life.
Will I become a replacement parent?
No. PALS have a parent or guardian in their lives already. As an adult mentor, you are providing friendship by spending quality, one-on-one time with your youngster. As an adult PAL, you are someone the child can have fun with, learn from, confide in and grow with. A great mentor is someone LIKE YOU!