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Big hearts wanted at Mentoring Alliance information night

Wanted: big hearts, and one hour per week. Reward: invaluable.
Sound good? Maybe it’s time to become a mentor. You can find out all about the experience tonight, Jan. 28, as The Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance hosts a Mentor Recruitment and Information Night at Saddles Restaurant.
“There is no one-size-fits-all in mentoring,” says Kathy Witkowicki, Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance executive director. “We have all kinds of kids in our program, and we need all kinds of adults to mentor them.”
Who can be a mentor? Anyone with a heart for working with children, and someone who has the willingness to take time out of their schedule each week to help guide a young student.
There is no obligation, and the event is free. “It’s a time to come and ask questions, hear our story, and meet some of the mentors and students in our program,” Witkowicki said.
There are currently more than 100 students on a waiting list for a mentor. The Alliance provides training and support for new mentors on a year-round basis. Mentors are asked to visit with their mentee for one hour a week, at a school-based mentor center, each of which has a professional facilitator on duty to help with scheduling, answer questions and offer insights for effective mentoring.
Many mentors and mentees also take part in the many extra curricular activities offered through the Mentoring Alliance. “We organize cooking classes, art classes, and interesting field trips throughout the school year,” said Program Director Tina Baldry, “Our goal is to provide many opportunities for mentor and mentees to try new things and have a chance to take part in some group events. They always have a lot of fun on our outings.”
This year, there is a special series of field trips in the works called “Road Map to Your Future,” which will focus on opportunities for high school mentees in the local community.
The power of mentoring was acknowledged by the White House when first lady Michelle Obama announced a new White House Mentoring Program. President Obama said, “Ask any successful person how they got to where they are today, chances are they will tell you about a mentor they had somewhere along the way.”
The Mentor Recruitment and Information Night is tonight, Jan. 28, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Saddles Restaurant.