BEING THERE WHEN IT COUNTS : CONVINCED THAT MENTORING MAKES THE DIFFERENCE, THESE GROUPS READY TO BACK IT UP.Byline: Jenifer Hanrahan Daily News Staff Writer Help wanted "Help wanted" is a request commonly made by an employer in search of an employee. It may also refer to:
When Anne Hilbert decided to become a Big Sister, she thought she was going to be mainly a role model for Rachel, then 7. Rachel's mother, who is white, had referred her daughter to the program because Rachel is biracial bi·ra·cial adj. 1. Of, for, or consisting of members of two races. 2. Having parents of two different races. bi·ra . ``I felt it was really important that she had a positive black role model in her life,'' said the Studio City woman who asked that the family's last name not be used. But during the past seven years, Hilbert, 31, and Rachel, 13, have become, above all, the best of friends. Together they go to the movies and carnivals, amusement parks This page contains a list of amusement parks by
or zoological garden Place where wild and sometimes domesticated animals are exhibited in captivity. Aquatic zoological gardens are called aquariums. The first zoos were perhaps associated with domestication. . They even started a computer tutoring business to raise money for a trip to Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. . ``I wanted to show her that there were successful, upstanding black women in this community,'' said Hilbert, a real estate property manager. ``I wanted to share with her that African-Americans can get ahead if you work hard. ``But I'm also her confidante con·fi·dante n. 1. A woman to whom secrets or private matters are disclosed. 2. A woman character in a drama or fiction, such as a trusted friend or servant, who serves as a device for revealing the inner thoughts or intentions , her support,'' she said. ``I want her to feel she can talk to me.'' In recent years, social workers, parents and teachers are increasingly turning to mentor Mentor, in Greek mythology Mentor (mĕn`tər, –tôr'), in Greek mythology, friend of Odysseus and tutor of Telemachus. programs to provide not only role models but trusted friendships to help guide children through rocky growing-up years. ``Every adult who has reached some sort of success and peace in their lives has had someone who was there for them,'' said Patrice Theard Lombard, executive director of California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). One to One, a Los Angeles-based organization devoted to promoting mentoring. ``A mentor provides ... guidance for the young person. They are a good listener. They provide kindness Kindness See also Generosity. Allworthy, Squire Tom Jones’s goodhearted foster father. [Br. Lit. . They are somebody who cares.'' Research has shown that mentoring programs can help reduce drug and alcohol use and improve school performance. A study published last year by a Philadephia consulting firm Noun 1. consulting firm - a firm of experts providing professional advice to an organization for a fee consulting company business firm, firm, house - the members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments; "he worked for a compared about 500 girls and boys ages 10 to 16 who were matched with mentors through Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America with an equal number who were put on a waiting list. The study found that the young people with mentors were 46 percent less likely to start using drugs, 26 percent less likely to use alcohol, less likely to hit someone, had improved school attendance and showed modest gains in grade-point average. But such marked improvement came with substantial time and emotional committment on the part of the mentoring adults, Theard Lombard said. The young people in the study met with their mentors an average of three times a month for a total of 12 hours. Because of the time involved, most mentoring organizations around the state are facing a shortage of volunteers. When Hilbert applied to become a Big Sister, she waited a year until she was matched with Rachel. Now, Big Sisters of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. has 85 girls on its waiting list. ``We could have a lot more, but we don't go out to do a whole lot of recruitment of Little Sisters until we have a lot of Big Sisters to match them with,'' said Janet Schulman, executive director of Big Sisters of Los Angeles. To try to reach as many children as possible, innovative programs such as Los Angeles Team Mentoring Inc. use a volunteer parent or professional, a college student and a teacher who team up to meet with groups of students after school. The program, which is in place in six middle schools throughout Los Angeles, is also short about 30 volunteers. Mentoring will be the theme of Gov. Pete Wilson's annual conference for women, ``Call to Action,'' that will be held today at the Long Beach Convention Center. Expanding mentoring programs is one of Wilson's pet projects. The governor's California Mentor Initiative last year provided more than $1 million to promote development of mentor programs throughout the state. This year, a Wilson initiative intended to helAAp prevent teen-age pregnancy assigned as·sign tr.v. as·signed, as·sign·ing, as·signs 1. To set apart for a particular purpose; designate: assigned a day for the inspection. 2. $10.5 million to mentor programs. The most important quality of a mentor is that she is willing to make a committment to the child, Schulman said. ``They don't have to be college graduates and have high-level jobs; they can come from all different parts of the community, but they should be able to bring new ideas "New Ideas" is the debut single by Scottish New Wave/Indie Rock act The Dykeenies. It was first released as a Double A-side with "Will It Happen Tonight?" on July 17, 2006. The band also recorded a video for the track. and new resources to the children and show them there's a different way of life than they may see,'' Schulman said. Dara Monihan, 33, of Studio City, is glad she made the time to become a Big Sister to a 14-year-old girl. ``There are so many problems in the world, and people feel that there is nothing they can do about it,'' Monihan said. ``This is something where you can really make a difference.'' CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: `I wanted to show her that there were successful, upstanding black women in this community. I wanted to share with her that African-Americans can get ahead if you work hard.' Anne Hilbert Big Sister and mentor for Rachel, 13, left Gus Ruelas/Daily News |
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