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.
