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Posted by: thepinetree on 08/28/2013 09:47 PM Updated by: John_Hamilton on 08/28/2013 11:29 PM
Expires: 01/01/2018 12:00 AM
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Michelle Bauer Named September 2013 Mentor of the Month

Angels Camp, CA... The Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program is pleased to honor Murphys resident Michelle Bauer as September 2013 Mentor of the Month. “Michelle approaches mentoring with a very special blend of kindness, commitment, and courage,” said Colleen Dolan, Coordinator of Mentoring Programs at the Calaveras County Office of Education. “She and her mentee Zoie are opposites in personality, but they complement each other perfectly.” ...



Michelle and Zoie, 12-years-old, have been matched for two years in the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program and have become very close friends during that time. Recently Michelle and Zoie were having lunch at the Bistro Espresso in Arnold, where owner Larry Geiger offers matches a free lunch every month as part of the Mentor Rewards Program. “After our lunch, Zoie cleared our table and also helped some other people clear their tables, too,” said Michelle. “I was really impressed. She’s matured so much since I met her.”

Michelle first thought about volunteering to be a mentor when she heard another mentor, John Zunino, talking about his experience. “I told him I was interested, and in less than an hour I got a call from Colleen,” said Michelle. She appreciates the amount of support and encouragement she receives from the Mentoring Program staff and from the other mentors. “A lot of really good people volunteer to be mentors, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know them. They are all so different. At the Mentoring Program lake party recently, I met a very nice couple from Valley Springs and an energetic, young woman from Angels Camp. We all come together as mentors because we care about kids,” said Michelle.

“Being a mentor gives me permission to act like a kid again,” said Michelle. “Sometimes we just goof off and play funny games. This year Zoie and I participated in the Creek Critters program at Big Trees State Park and I wouldn’t have been comfortable doing that alone.” Being a mentor has also given Michelle the confidence to do some things that she never would have done without Zoie, like riding the zipline at Moaning Caverns. “I was scared and was hoping that Zoie would change her mind and not want to go, but Zoie is fearless, and I ended up having a great time!” said Michelle.

In addition to her friendship with Zoie, Michelle has also come to know and care about Zoie’s family, and they for her. “Michelle deserves a lot of credit,” says Alex Abila, Zoie’s father. “She works really hard, but she always makes time for Zoie. And Zoie looks forward to being with Michelle a lot. Her self-esteem has improved because of Michelle’s dedicated attention.”

The Mentoring Program is always seeking volunteers, and particularly needs mentors for boys in the West Point and Mountain Ranch areas. There are many ways to support the Mentoring Program aside from being a mentor: help coordinate fieldtrips, support fundraising efforts, or help with publicity. For more information about the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program, call Colleen Dolan, Mentoring Program Coordinator, at (209) 736-6078 or visit us online at www.calaverasmentoring.org.




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