Bridge Youth and Family Services Celebrates National Mentoring Month

Pictured: Mentee Alexis Carrasco and his mentor Craig Hutson were flying kites as part of a group activity at Margreth Riemer Reservoir in Palatine.

Article written by Liz Dobrzynski, Mentor Program Coordinator at The Bridge Youth and Family Services.

January 2016 marks the 15th annual National Mentoring Month, a yearly initiative with the goal of shedding a light on the need, and importance of, mentors as positive role models for young people across the country.

Palatine-based, The Bridge Youth & Family Services (The Bridge) is participating in the National Mentoring Month campaign, with a goal to create quality mentoring opportunities to connect more of the Palatine and surrounding communities’ young people with caring adults. An informational meeting will be hosted by The Bridge at the end of January for individuals interested in becoming a mentor.

One in three young people feels isolated from meaningful connections with adults outside of their homes. To whom should they turn? Mentors. Mentors empower young people to make smart choices that put them on a path to making better life decisions. Mentors are their mentee’s hero, friend, teacher, caring listener, and coach. They help children learn, problem-solve, communicate and get along better with others. Mentors also teach big and small life lessons that many times are not learned in a classroom.

Research shows that mentoring improves school attendance and performance, reduces aggressive behavior, decreases the likelihood of drug use and improves relationships with friends and family members. Mentoring also benefits the mentors by building relationships that are as meaningful for them as they are for their mentee.

The Bridge is proud of its well-established mentoring program that pairs volunteers over the age of 21 with youth from seven to 15 years of age who are in need of a positive adult role model. Volunteers are asked to spend two hours per week with the young person over the course of one year.

Mentors and their matches are also encouraged to attend monthly group activities, many of which are service projects geared toward teaching youth about giving back to their community. Examples of such projects include packing food for malnourished children, yardwork and home improvement projects to help senior home owners, and making blankets for the homeless. Children participating in these projects learn new skills, develop a sense of empathy for others, and increase their own confidence when they realize, they, too, can make a difference in someone’s life.

Studies show that young adults who had mentors as children are paying it forward – they are 78% more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities. Additionally, youth who have mentors report higher educational aspirations and are 55% more likely to enroll in college. Mentoring relationships also meet a basic human need, in providing connections that let a young person know that they matter. A few hours per week can change a life forever.

Those interested in learning more about making a significant difference in a child’s life are invited to attend The Bridge information session at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20th, 2016 at 721 S. Quentin Road (Palatine Township Center). For more information, please contact Liz Dobrzynski at 847-485-3061 or email Ldobrzynski@bridgeyouth.org .

About The Bridge Youth and Family Services:

In 2015, The Bridge Youth and Family Services celebrated its 50th year of providing a wide range of services to children and their families, including counseling in English and Spanish, Crisis Intervention and Prevention and Volunteer services. Specific programs include individual and family therapy, parent counseling and education, psychiatric assessments, substance abuse assessments and counseling to prevent child abuse and neglect. Additionally, crisis intervention work is provided to Cook County residents of Palatine, Barrington, Elk Grove, Maine, Schaumburg and Hanover townships. All of part of the following communities are served: Barrington, Barrington Hills, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, South Barrington, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Elk Grove, Mount Prospect, Rolling Meadows, Niles, Park Ridge, Rosemont, Morton Grove, Bartlett, Elgin, Hanover Park, Streamwood, Roselle and Palatine.

Residents of Palatine Township benefit from youth mentor programs and leadership development, parenting programs and classes, community education and support of a range of community service programs. Fees are based on family income and situation. No family is turned away because of the inability to pay. For more information, visit www.BridgeYouth.org.