Posted: 1/10/08
Give Me Five members, mentors teach each other
"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." (Stacia Tauscher) The Give Me Five (GM5) mentoring program at Milaca Public Schools has not forgotten about the child today. In fact, about 10 mentors and the program's coordinator, Kathy Fitschen, are spending time each week making sure those students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade are getting the attention they need. The GM5 program has been in place for seven years and Fitschen has been running it for the last two. Kids are referred to the program either through parents, teachers or a social worker. The GM5 program invites students to play games, take field trips, make projects, hold fund raisers and do community service projects. The kids build confidence, learn to share and cooperate, take on responsibility and form friendships. Another great benefit of the program is the mentors who participate also gain from the experience. "It's really meaningful to me," mentor Susan Shaw said. "I personally remember how hard it is to be a kid." The GM5 group used to meet once a week, but now meets two times a week at the kids' request. The group regularly visits the Elim Home, playing bingo with the residents. "It's a fantastic program," Lora Jean Jones of the Elim Home said. "The kids are precious. It's a great interaction between the two age groups." The GM5 group has a longer meeting once or twice a month which includes dinner, once a month with a parent in attendance. They conduct fund raisers. The aluminum can collection in the parking lot near the ALC building is one of the ways the group raises money. They also collect used ink cartridges and cell phones for recycling. They use those funds for special things, like planting pumpkin and gourd seeds, purchasing bingo prizes and to go on field trips. The GM5 kids sponsor a bingo night for other students and are responsible for running the event and providing prizes for the kids. It's a good customer service learning project, according to Fitschen. "They've learned a lot about cooperation," Fitschen said. "When other kids come to bingo, they have to recognize that they've got customers." The GM5 members learn how to deal with real life situations and how to solve problems. One of the tools Fitschen uses is a curriculum that corresponds with the popular "Chicken Soup for the Kids Soul." It provides some thought provoking ideas and activities for the kids. It deals with honesty, respect, citizenship, compassion, responsibility and self-discipline among other topics. "These kids are ready to learn, they just need some guidance," Fitschen added. One of the most important aspects of the program is that the GM5 kids have formed friendships with each other. When a child doesn't feel like they fit in, it's hard to make friends. In the GM5 program, they can speak freely, in particular when they use the "talking rock" (similar to a talking stick). "Talking about things rather than keeping it all in their mind, helps them become friends," Fitschen said. January is mentor month There are 720 to 744 hours in a month, the kids in GM5 are asking for four of those hours. There are currently 10 regular mentors who help with the program, but more is needed as Fitschen continues to recruit more kids for the program. Ed Winters has been a mentor for several years. "It's an all together different relationship," Winters said of the GM5 kids. "If I can do a little bit to help the kids...and I think it has shown, in at least one boy." Winters said he met the grandmother of one participant who informed Winters that he had helped her grandson and the program meant so much to him. "The kids are really good at getting involved in the activities," mentor Shaw said. "And she [Fitschen] makes it really easy to be a mentor. She puts a lot of thought into the activities, which have meaning and purpose. "I get such a kick out of it." One parent of a GM5 participant said, "My child just loves the program and knows that to these people she really matters. What a selfless gift to give someone." Another parent said, "My son found in your program, that there are other kids like him, with the same hardships, problems and everyday obstacles. I pray this program will continue for years and years." Mentors commit to being a positive influence by listening and modeling respectful behavior. They provide time to support the relationship (a minimum of four hours per month). They maintain confidentiality in the relationship and they evaluate ongoing progress and provide honest feedback. By having an open mind and some patience, you can provide validation, friendship and guidance to a child. Just can't squeeze in time to be a mentor? You can donate materials for projects, share a hobby with the group, make a tax deductible donation or purchase fund raising items. Or maybe you have a community service project you need help with. Contact Fitschen at 320-982-7193 or kat.fitschen@milaca.k12.mn.us. Mille Lacs County Times
Mille Lacs County Times
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Milaca, MN 56353
Telephone: 320-983-6111 Fax: 320-983-6112