It's a Great time to be a Mentor!
By Peggy Beebe
Ali, 31 and Serafina, 13 have been matched for about 2 years now. Serafina was involved in other programs at The Funhouse and eventually became aware of the mentor program. “One of my favorite things about having a mentor is having someone to talk to”, says Serafina, and Ali wholeheartedly agrees!
As part of their agreement through The Funhouse mentor program, they have committed to spend at least 4 hours per month together, doing an activity of their choice. At the beginning of COVID things changed for a bit and they were meeting virtually, once a week. Now, they are able to safely get out again so are enjoying nature walks, either on the trails or beaches.
Both Ali and Serafina also enjoy drawing anime or making slime! According to Ali, “it is important for the community to be supportive of our youth. I am privileged to be a part of the program and it’s great to have Serafina in my life. Everyone should spend time with a kid if they can!”
Mentoring relationships are an essential part of reaching out to the youth and keeping a healthy community. Mentors provide mentees with structure through engaging activities and meaningful relationships, as well as helping to guide them through many challenges and successes
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Yonatan, 34 and Gavin, 13 have been matched for 4 years. “I was at the Funhouse nearly everyday. My mom told me about the mentor program and said that she thought it would be good for me, so we signed up”, says Gavin. “Some of my favorite things to do with Yonatan are cooking, playing Pathfinder online and camping!”
Yonatan says that, “mentoring is a special relationship. There is not a lot of connection between the generations and adults don’t usually relate well to teens. This gives me the opportunity to connect with different life experiences and gives me a different perspective on things. We have some fascinating conversations and go on some big adventures!”
Both Serafina and Gavin say that they enjoy hanging out with their mentor.
The Funhouse continues to support island youth with traditional 1:1 mentor matches. In joining The Funhouse mentor program, you will be asked to complete an application, provide personal and professional references and complete a background check. The Funhouse provides orientation, training and on-going support for mentors and mentees.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor or have a youth in your home interested in the program, contact Ali Walker at The Funhouse at 360-376-7177 or email: mentors@thefunhouse.org
We are actively seeking caring adults for a variety of mentoring roles.
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One:One Mentoring
Mentor Program Video
Following Best Practices, Ensuring Positive Impact
The quality of a mentor program’s practices are a critical factor in achieving positive outcomes for youth. For this reason, The Funhouse is committed to following quality best practices, set forth by the National Mentoring Alliance, and its affiliate, Mentor Washington. We have been a Dedicated Partner of Mentor Washington since 2014. The Funhouse Commons achieved Dedicated level through a rigorous evaluation and innovation process. It includes ongoing consultation from Mentor Washington to develop and implement a continuous improvement plan.
Our Mentor program includes a careful screening process and initial training for all mentors, as well as ongoing education opportunities for mentors throughout the year. Additionally, we take great care in setting up potential matches, taking into consideration the many complex factors which impact relationship success. Our mentor coordinator works closely with mentors, mentees and mentee families throughout their match, to support their growth.
Prior to being matched, mentors must complete an application, share two personal references, consent to a state and federal background check, interview with the Funhouse Mentor Coordinator, and attend a 2-hour training.