The Fighting Back Mentor Program is a youth prevention program of the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. I became a mentor in this program over four years ago. My mentee had her ninth birthday a few weeks after we met for the first time.
She was referred to me by her 3rd Grade teacher who saw that she needed support with her school work as well as with her self-esteem. At first we met at school during her lunch break and I discovered that she loved to draw and to play card games. We joined other mentors with their mentees on field trips to the zoo, on the Condor Express Whale Boat and to Zodos’ Bowling. We baked pies, enjoyed beach outings as well as our personal trips to the Natural History Museum and numerous visits to the local library.
Now in junior high school, my mentee enjoys her new teenage status and seems a little reluctant to meet with me on campus, so we usually get together on Saturday mornings. She plays soccer on her school team and displays much more confidence in herself . I look forward to our time together and feel privileged to be part of her life. I was recently invited to her 13th birthday celebration at her grandmother’s home and felt honored to be included in this family event.
I feel blessed to have this young person in my life and this involvement brings me a feeling of service and spiritual nourishment.
If you are interested in being a mentor or know someone who might be, there are currently 82 kids on the waiting list.
Please contact Ann Cowell, Tel.(805)963-1433 Ex.113 or
E-mail acowell@cadasb.org
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