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What Mentoring Means to Me   

by Anne Ceconi, Lead Mentor         

Pathways for Exceptional Children has been a life changing experience for me on so many levels.  Mentoring is not one thing; it’s a combination of hard work, perseverance, patience and enthusiasm.  The improvement made from one week to the next with the children is amazing.  Children with disabilities have taught me a lot about myself as well.  I realized that for them, completing a challenge might be asking a simple question or remembering the lines to a play.  However, they always try their absolute best to accomplish a task; something many people, including me, sometimes fail to do. 

 Every class at least one child completes a miraculous feat for him or herself.  Such was the case at a recent Play rehearsal.  One of the children had struggled during all previous classes to become involved with the play.  He is an amazing singer and had been practicing the songs for the play at home, but had not yet sung them at the class.  As he got up to the microphone this time, he amazed not only me, but also all the parents, kids, and mentors at the class.  His disability disappeared for the song.  Not only had he memorized the words, but he also had perfect pitch and rhythm to the song.  I was astonished.  He completed something I could never do in public.  After that class, I realized that Pathways is such a great organization because it has not only helped hundreds and hundreds of children with disabilities, but it has also helped the mentors find out more about themselves.      


First things first – Remember these important rules:

You are responsible for signing in at our programs when you arrive. 

Look for the person taking attendance at every class and check in so they can record your community service hours. If you do not sign in, you will not get credit for the time you volunteered.

 

Keep your permission slip current.

Before you can mentor in our programs, we must have a new signed permission slip every year.
Click here to download one. Print and complete all information, include parent or guardian signature, and mail to: Pathways Mentor Program, 55 Madison Avenue, Suite 400, Morristown, NJ 07960.  If you're signed up for a program and not sure you sent it in, fill one out and bring it with you.

 

Sign up in advance.

The Mentor News lists all current activities and programs. Click here to download it. To sign up, call  973-331-3366 and leave a message or email mentor4pathways@yahoo.com . Please do not come to a program without signing up first! We can't guarantee you a spot in the activity or notify you about changes in schedule if you aren't on the roster.

 

If you sign up, please show up!  

Our kids think you are the best thing that happened since chocolate ice cream! They look forward to seeing you. Don't disappoint them. If you can't make it to the program, just let us know so we can plan for your absence.

 

Lead Mentor Program  

The Lead Mentor program is a leadership program that runs from September through September each year. Members go through an application and interview process to get accepted into the program. Information about 2009-2010 will be available soon. Visit the Lead Mentor page for more information.

 

Pathways Hotline: 973-331-3366

Yucky weather? School closed? Early dismissal? Not sure if a program will run?
Call our hotline 973-331-3366 for a recorded message to tell you if the program scheduled for that day is cancelled.


Pathways Home-Based Buddies Program

There are many special children in our community who would love to spend time with you! In this "one-on-one" program, you meet with a child with special needs on an ongoing basis for play dates, to be a companion for activities, or a homework buddy. The parent/guardian of that child will be present to supervise and provide you with training on what to do for their child. To get involved in this program, send an email to mentor4pathways@yahoo.com or call 973-331-3366 and leave a detailed message.

Program times and locations are subject to change. Please check this page for updates.

 

 

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