There are issues that will arise over the simplest change. Take rain, for instance. When it starts to rain there are some words spoken acknowledging this occurring.
In a moment, or two, the talking turns to address the immediate issues the rain will produce, which is no big thing, if you’re not caught out in the middle of catching your three year old child in the back yard when the rain starts.
This little bundle of energy responds to the sensations of the new rain with glee and gives giggles of joy at the idea you are playing with the water, somehow, they don’t care how you are doing it, just that you are a fun person that will look really silly when you slip and slide to a stop against the garage wall, with your shirt and pants slathered to your back and legs from the water and grass stains, abound.
But, that is the way we are built. As parents, (mentors), we will and must try to forestall these happenings from being a threat to our children. We, as parents, (mentors), must see that there is a significant amount of covering for our children where they won’t get caught, in the rain, without proper protection.
This is all hyperbole; the rain is the symbolic icon for danger, so it doesn’t lose its identity here.
But conversely, suppose the danger was that of not having my child properly insured against injury. Is that the same lack of responsibility? Or say my child wasn’t up with the class in math, or science, or any other subject, of consequence.
In today’s world all subjects are critical, not just a few seemingly important ones. Every subject can slide the child out the door and away from employment opportunities. Proper mentoring and follow up can be an answer to our needs, but we must be able to step up and fill the position.
In the silly rain picture, you can see the flopping, sliding oaf picking the child up and getting into a drier, safer and warmer place, because neither of us was comfortable until after the giggling was covered with some warm food and dry clothes.
But, that starts to present a picture of what we as parents, (mentors) must do to prepare our children for what we won’t be able to see, when they are grown and parents, on their own. Left to the child’s own devices, the child would stay out in the rain, until she was starting to feel pain, then she would start to look for something to stop the pain & discomfort and wanted more comfort>
But we aren’t able to offer that any longer, because we let that opportunity slide by because the child wanted to run away; we didn’t catch her when we could’ve and now it is too late. The pain will come and we allowed it to take our children to where ever it stops.
Our children are running away from education as fast as our schools will allow them. If we don’t stop this giggling retreat in an inclement world we will lose the ability to bring our children home and to a better decision regarding education, with better enforced, stricter standards.
We may have to stand in the street in front of the schools forcing our children to return to the classroom and to bring more homework home to do over the weekends. We will watch the fright in their eyes when they realize their belief of a foundation is not the scholastic foundation for them to stand on; not since the sixties.
So, here we are; what do you want to say about where we are?
We have given eighteen year olds the right to vote, because it was the thing to do. Now the people who voted for those privileges and rights are trying to figure out the consequences; our children will pay for those times and sorrows. There will be no parent to pick them up and dry them with a warm towel and some nice munchies, because we let them run away.
However, there could be a Mentoring Associates member having been associated with the student and the family over the years, and able to be a person of counsel and encouragement. Because, in the true mentoring role, there is a continuing thread, from the original relationship to help with the newer tougher decisions.
They’re there when the student was considering which college to attend, what car to take to the “prom”, which of the those boys she was going to go with. Of course, there are some changes with young men and their developing, but that is why we are called Mentors; we can be there for a long time.
And, ideally, will be a member of the family, or considered as one. Maybe?
There are issues that will arise over the simplest change, take rain; when it starts to rain there are some words spoken acknowledging this occurring. In a moment, or two the the talking turns to address the immediate issues the rain will produce, which is no big thing, if you’re not caught out in the middle of catching your three year old child in the back yard when the rain starts. This little bundle of energy responds to the sensation of the new rain with glee and gives giggles of joy at the idea you are playing with the water, somehow, they don’t care how you are doing it, just that you are a fun person that will look really silly when you slip and slide to a stop against the garage wall, with your shirt and pants slathered to your back and legs from the water and grass stains, abound. But, that is the way we are built, as parents, we will and must try and forestall these happenings from being a threat to our children. We, as parents, must see that there is a significant amount of covering for our children that they won’t get caught in the rain with out proper protection. This is all hyperbole the rain is the symbolic icon for danger, so it doesn’t lose it’s identity here, but conversely, suppose the danger was that of not having my child properly insured against injury, is that the same lack of responsibility, or say my child wasn’t up with the class in math, or science, or any other subject, of consequence, in today’s world all subjects are critical, not just a few seemingly important ones, every one can slide the child out the door of employment opportunities.
In the silly rain picture you can see the flopping, sliding oaf picking the child up and getting into a dryer, safer and warmer place, because neither of us was comfortable until after the giggling was covered with some warm food and dry clothes. But, that starts to present a picture of what we as parents must do to prepare our children for what we won’t be able to see, when they are grown and parents, on their own. Left to the childs own devices, the child would stay out in the rain until it was starting to feel pain then she would start to look for something to stop the feeling and wanted more comfort, but we aren’t able to offer that any longer, because we let that opportunity slide by because, the child wanted to run away, we didn’t catch her when we could’ve and now it is too late.
Our children are running away from education as fast as our schools will allow them. If we don’t stop this giggling retreat in an inclement world we will lose the ability to bring our children home and to a better decision regarding education, with better enforced, stricter standards. We have to stand in the street front of the schools forcing our children to return to the classroom and to bring more homework home to do over the weekends, or we will watch the fright in their eyes when they realize their is no scholastic foundation for them to stand on, not since the sixties. So, here we are; what do you want to say about where we are? We have given eighteen year olds the right to vote, because it was the thing to do in the sixties and now the people who voted to do that are trying to figure out the consequences; our children will pay for those times and sorrows. There will be no parent to pick them up and dry them with a warm towel and some nice munchies, because we let them run away.
Jerry was recently interviewed on the show, “The Very Best Job in the World”, hosted by “Coach Gary” Micheloni. Jerry Donahue talked about the kids, how the Education Center at Mentoring Associates has helped them to stay in school and graduate–high school and college. Catch that show right here:
Jerry & Mentoring Associates interview \”Very Best Job in the World\”
Jerry “survived” a couple of technical glitches and gave a terrific interview. As you listen to this interview, you’ll realize how fortunate Fallbrook is to have this kind of help for our community and its at-risk kids.
Most of all, you’ll want to hear why Jerry says that he has…”the Very Best Job in the World”!
Jerry has a Christmas message about the kids. Be sure to watch it here.
Jerry has a video message for you–about the importance of volunteers when it comes to mentoring inner-city kids. Watch it here.
Mentoring Associates is all about–surprise!–mentoring. Our outreach is to the community of kids who don’t have a lot of options. We rely on volunteers–people like you. Check with us and learn to be a mentor–here in Fallbrook–or in your own community. We’ll help you get started. Kids here…and on the other side of the country…are counting on people they don’t even know to help them learn enough to stay in school, graduate, and go on to college. That’s happening here!
Quick note to everyone: the new website is up and moving, and is waiting to get your feedback. You can comment right here, so let’s hear you!
Mentoring kids, encouraging them to stay in school & be positive role models in their community, is what we are all about. But we want your help and insight, too.
Also, please note the newest page on the website–Video Clips. You’ll see us adding to it regularly, and we are anxious to get your feedback. Thanks for being a part of this.
Jerry & the Kids
Jerry mentors kids right in the neighborhood. That’s the philosophy of Mentoring Associates, and it’s been that way for 15 years. Here’s a quick video with Jerry…
Jun
11
Here you will find regular updates in regards to what we are currently doing in our community as well as any needs we may be facing. Keep checking back with us regularly as we let you get a sneak peak into our daily journey to reach out those in our community who need it the most.
We promise to that you will find it to be very rewarding as you see how this ministry impacts our community in unique and perceivable ways!
Blessings!
The Mentoring Associates Team