My First Mentor Training - Money Matters

Being a mentor with Orangewood, I am required to attend training quarterly.  I attended my first training session tonight.

I feel it was geared more toward the youth, and my mentee was not with me.  She is scheduled to be in school on Monday nights... working towards her GED

The training was led by a social worker, who is 25  years old.  I really didnt care for his arrogance, or attitude at some times, but thats neither here nor there.  I also didnt think the training was extremely realistic - HOWEVER it had many good points to it, and the youth seemed to have learned a few things, so thats great.

There is a website they went through, that I thought was pretty awesome.  

www.californiarealitycheck.com

It was not 100% accurate of course, but it gives teens a good idea of what it will cost to live in the real word, and the importance of education, and many other things.

One example he went through, with a 20 year old girl was what if she gets pregnant... and it added about $7,000+ to her expenses per year.  The kids all gasped at that.  One boy asked, "Well, then how much does it cost to get an abortion?"  I couldnt help it, I uncontrollably gasped and shook my head.  The instructor said thats not something he is there to discuss and its not up to a boy to make that decision and he needs to know he is never to pressure a girl to make that decision.  He said if he really needs the answer to that question he can look it up himself online - and then they talked a little bit about the importance of a boy stepping up and taking responsibility and making sure they knew no matter what, they WILL pay child support, in or out of that childs life.  It was a little intense... I dont think I was prepared for that, but it was an eye opener.

I didnt care for the topic of the training, especially without my mentee there, but some of the future topics looked important and I hope I can attend some of them with her.  I suggested a topic on the form I filled out at the end, that I know my mentee would benefit from, but I wont share that... as its personal.  I hope if it is a training session she is able to attend with me.

I saw a few of the other mentors from my Training Academy - one was there with his mentee, a few others were there alone.  I really hope I get to see mine Saturday, I am ready to start this journey!