mentors

Why is mentoring so important?

Discovering Options mentors are making real, noticeable differences in the lives of disadvantaged children all over the St. Louis area.  We are so proud of the relationships that Discovering Options has fostered by pairing enthusiastic and committed adults with terrific and deserving children.  Every day we are amazed by the bonds formed and the progress made in these relationships.  Currently, the program has over 100+ mentors paired with children and is actively seeking new mentors for the children who complete our Elementary PREP program. 

There are many at-risk youth in the St. Louis area who have been chosen by their schools to benefit from a positive, adult role model, but a long waiting list has kept too many from beginning their Discovering Options experience.  Please volunteer today and be part of a rewarding relationship, both for you and your protege!

Read these personal accounts from current mentors to see what awaits you:

"Kevin and I cook together regularly, he is really good at it and seems to really enjoy it.  When we were making lasagna he asked me where I learned to cook and after I told him from my dad, he said, 'when people ask me where I learned to cook I can say my mentor taught me.'  It felt really good to be a part of teaching him something he really likes."- Kat Deppeler, Mentor since January 2007

"My protege is naturally very quiet, but he has become more communicative.  We've gotten together 60 or 70 times.  He always answers "yes" when I ask him to do something and he is always on time. Although he doesn't talk much, I know this stuff is important to him.  His mother has written me a couple of letters thanking me for my time." - Paul Lafata, Mentor since March 2006

"When I first met my protege, she didn't want me to be her mentor and had a bad attitude the first few sessions.  After about three or four sessino, her personality and attitude changed.  She has made a lot of progress in her overall attitude.  Other mentors have noticed her change as well.  She is also taking on the challenges better at school. " Johnessia Jones, mentor since May 2007

The survey says!

What mentors enjoy most about mentoring:

* Spending time with their protégé
* Introducing their protégé to new experiences
* Having a positive impact on their protégé’s life 
*As one mentor stated, “When you see the light bulb turn on in the eyes of another person because they get what you are trying to tell them…it is a rewarding and exciting experience”
* Several mentors mentioned that they enjoy seeing their protégé laugh or smile

* Other respondents said that they enjoy the lessons they have learned from their protégé or from mentoring