January is National Mentoring Month. And D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s is joining the nation in participating in this campaign. Some social workers are hoping the West Michigan community will volunteer and support local mentoring programs.
“We need ways to raise awareness about the mentoring needs in our community. So, we take the opportunity for January being National mentoring month to spread the word.”
Stephanie Sheler is a Social Worker in the Sisters in Support program at DA Blodgett St. John’s. She says with the New Year comes resolutions and many people are thinking about how they can positively impact the local community.
“And mentoring is certainly one way to do that. And through our agency you have the opportunity through big brothers big sisters to mentor a child or sisters in support program to mentor a young mom. And it’s just a good way to start the new year and honestly through that one on one relationship you really can have a positive impact on the community by having a positive impact on an individual or on a family.”
Sheler says some of the young moms she works with have admitted they only have their social worker and mentor as support.
“They help her make good decisions, they help her focus on her goals and they help her be a good mom. And sometimes it just takes those two healthy people or that one healthy person to make a difference in someone’s life. And I really want those young moms to know they’re worthy of being cared about, cared for, loved and supported and sometimes the only place they get that is through mentoring.”
Sheler says the same goes for the young children. She adds the commitment requires a couple of hours per week to spend with a child or a young mom. If you’re interested in either the Big Brothers Big Sisters program or Sisters in Support Program you can call DA Blodgett St Johns or go on their website at DABSJ DOT ORG.
