News

Wanted: Caring adults to help young people

By Linda DeVries
Compass Correspondent

	SHOWING SHE CARES: Marge Vandermuss of St. Philip Parish, Green Bay, better known as Grandma Gigi, mentors Rachel Beno at Tank School. Agencies in Green Bay, Appleton and Oshkosh are all seeking adults interested in serving as adult mentors for young people. (Rick Evans photo)
	Mentoring began when she was five Phyllis Jaworski says "Mary Ehnerd made a difference in my life" By Linda DeVries Compass Correspondent Phyllis Jaworski, now 29 years old, began being mentored at age five. "Because I was in a single-parent home and on welfare, my mom was encouraged to enroll my sister and me in Pals or a similar program," Jaworski said. Jaworski was matched with Mary Ehnerd, whose children were out of the home. Ehnerd attended all of Phyllis' school band concerts, took her on trips, and taught her to ride and show horses. "I became part of their family immediately," Jaworski said. "I was invited to their holiday functions and on camping trips, and she made sure I got to summer camp. She was extremely dedicated, and she taught me a lot about being part of a healthy family structure. I realize that all mentoring relationships are not the same as mine, but I would never misbehave around Mary. I respected her and appreciated all she did for me." In fact, Jaworski's younger sister went through several Pals. Ehnerd included her as much as she could, but they recognized that Ehnerd was Jaworski's Pal. After high school Jaworski went on to graduate from UW - River Falls and later married. Ehnerd and Jaworski remain close to this day. "I'd love to do for someone else what Mary did for me," Jaworski said. "But I want to wait until we're a little more established before I make that commitment. Mary made such a difference in my life!"

North Eastern Wisconsin Mentoring Coalition (NewMc) has a big goal for January - to recruit 2,500 volunteer mentors for at-risk children throughout Northeast Wisconsin.

"Every child needs a caring adult, and we have such a large waiting list," said Dcn. Rick Simon of St. Pius X Parish, Appleton, and a founding member of the coalition.

After three teenagers died in Appleton's Plamann Park in 1995, Dcn. Simon and other members of the Fox Cities Juvenile Task Force invited representatives of educational, human services and law enforcement organizations to suggest ways the business community could play a constructive role in reducing violent behavior in troubled youths. Mentoring was the group's top recommendation as a response to the breakdown of families and negative influences in society.

Mentors are adults who are paired with at-risk students to offer friendship, a listening ear and guidance when asked. They commit to one hour a week or two hours every other week, either on weekends or during the school's lunch hour.

Statistics have shown that among mentored youth, 46% are less likely to get involved with drugs, 59% get better grades, and 73% raise their personal goals and expectations in life.

The pilot program, "Mentoring Youth," which began in 1998 at Appleton North High School, has evolved into a coalition known as NewMc (pronounced new-mac). It involves all youth-serving agencies in northeastern Wisconsin - Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Pals, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Best Friends. Area volunteer centers receive applications and screen applicants.

Staff at area schools - counselors, psychologists, special education teachers and social workers - identify students who might benefit from having a positive adult role model. They interview the students, get parents' consent and then match the students with mentors through participating agencies.

Dcn. Simon said the program is unique because it incorporates both spiritual and community influences.

"A Mentoring Prayer has been included in the mentors' packets from the beginning," he said. "The prayer states that we need help from God to get beyond hopelessness and fear. Amazing things happen when people see God's hand at work in the public schools!"

Dcn. Simon said he is convinced that "the Lord is calling both secular and faith communities in northeastern Wisconsin to work together in setting an example for the nation to establish mentoring programs. It causes a ripple effect of goodness, which will ultimately help our families, our schools and our communities."

Catholic parishes in the Green Bay Diocese, along with other faith communities, have been instrumental in the formation of the initiative. Dcn. Simon has focused on the Catholic community, reaching out through The Compass and parish bulletins and newsletters. Thrivent Financial works with Lutheran churches; members of other denominations also participate.

For this month's initiative, NewMc developed both church-based and secular ads to reach prospective mentors.

Dcn. Simon said the community has stepped up to the challenge. "Someone who wants to remain anonymous recently gave us a $10,000 donation and Dave Willems & Co. helped us market half a million applications, donating 2 to 1. Crystal Print is doing all the printing for nothing."

Glen Tilot, a member of Prince of Peace Parish, Green Bay, and Pals program coordinator for Brown County Human Services, enthusiastically supports mentoring. As a social worker, he has seen significant improvement in the lives of mentored students.

Mentors need not be individuals, Tilot said. "One-on-one matches are most common, but families and couples may also be matched to one student."

"We've had a number of events over the years," Tilot said, "like a mentoring summit in Appleton with Gen. Colin Powell and former Gov. Tommy Thompson. It was sold out. A year and a half ago, we hosted a family night tailgate party at Lambeau Field for 1,200 mentors and their 'mentees.' There's going to be a radio auction to benefit youth, with autographed balls and jerseys from sports figures like Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade and Pat Riley. A portion of the proceeds will go to support NewMc.

To volunteer For more information on volunteering as a mentor in the following communities contact: • Green Bay, Volunteer Center of Brown County, (920)429-9445 or e-mail volunteercenter@new.rr.com • Appleton, Volunteer Center of East Central Wisconsin, (920)832-9360 or e-mail info@volunteercenter.net • Oshkosh, Volunteer Center of East Central Wisconsin, (920)230-3663 or e-mail oshkoshinfo@volunteercenter.net

"We're doing all we can to get the word out to businesses and companies," Tilot said. "We're distributing mentoring applications through print media in newsletters and flyers, on the internet, and in newspapers. We're also making a special appeal to churches. People of faith tend to take a serious approach to mentoring and are usually long-term, dedicated mentors."

"This is a God-moment," Dcn. Simon said, "a way faith-based people can impact families, by putting good people next to kids. One-on-one your values and faith come out. God's got a plan, and we will do everything we can in the faith community. We have a vehicle so within eight weeks, you can be connected to a child."

Kathy Mueller, principal at Tank Elementary School in Green Bay and a member of St. Pius X Parish, Appleton, said she has seen remarkable changes in the students who have been mentored.

"It's so simple," Mueller said, "but there have been incredible, powerful changes in these children, things like academic growth and increased school attendance. The kids are excited, and children rich or poor benefit from having a healthy adult take an interest in them.

"Tank School has a large number of at-risk students because of the high poverty rate, and mentoring helps break the cycle of poverty. We start the mentoring process in fourth grade, but so far we only have 12 participants. Often kids just need the opportunity to talk to an adult. Some of their parents are illiterate, so mentors might tutor at their weekly lunch. Others play games with their mentorees, help with homework or just talk.

"One group of retired teachers has taken on a bright middle-school girl who needs some extra help in life. She needs to be introduced to certain skills and society so she can move ahead. These teachers are so excited to be able to help her by mentoring."

As NewMc's motto states: "You can't change a child's life if you're not part of it."