Looks like I forgot to blog about the Academy!
I attended the Academy for Orangewoods Mentor Program... it was about a 4 - 5 hour session where they talked about the process of becoming a mentor (Like going through a background check, sex offender check, FBI check, fingerprinting, reference check) and much more. They had three current mentees and mentors speak to us, and we ran through some potential situations and the correct and incorrect way to handle them.
The biggest thing the mentees pushed, was they LOVE being taken out to eat :) The biggest thing the mentors pushed was its not all rainbows and sunshine... but its DEFINITELY worth it, and whatever you do DO NOT QUIT on this youth.
As of today, my references have been called (THANK YOU ALL for cooperating SO quickly) and they are just waiting for the remainder of my background checks to clear. They should have clearance in the next few days. They already have a potential mentee for me, and we are going to try to meet up next week for the first time with the Orangewood worker to see how we feel about being matched together. What I have been told about her seems great, and there are a few things she is interested in doing that I can hopefully help her with.
Orangewood requires mentors to attend training quarterly - which is similar to the Academy - on a Saturday for 4-5 hours at a time. They also have events every once in a while for the mentors and mentees to attend, and sometimes have things like Angels or Ducks tickets they give out for us to attend. I have quite a few ideas of things we can do together, as long as she wants to do them! I am very excited about this new journey... NERVOUS, but excited!
I have been told by a few people "Just think, you will be changing someones life, and making it better". Its pretty humbling hearing that. Sort of knocks me off my feet a little bit.
Thanks for everyones support and cheering me on... I really do appreciate it! I look forward to blogging about my experiences through this journey!
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