Posted by: thepinetree on 04/14/2015 04:02 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 04/14/2015 04:03 PM
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Kristen Schott Honored As April 2015 Mentor of the Month
Arnold, CA...April 6, 2015–The Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program is pleased to honor Arnold resident Kristen Schott as its April 2015 Mentor of the Month. Kristen has been a resident of Calaveras County for thirty years. She raised her son and daughter in Arnold and has worked for Mark Twain Medical Center as a nurse for seven years. “Kristen is one of those amazing volunteers who quietly goes about strengthening our community without drawing attention to herself,” said Colleen Dolan, Coordinator of Mentoring Programs for the Calaveras County Office of Education. “She is one of our community’s unsung heroes, and we are honored that she chooses to volunteer with the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program.”
Kristen has been matched with her 14-year-old mentee, Marantha, for nearly two years. “I used to volunteer in my kids’ classrooms when they were in school, and I always wished I could do more to support the other children,” said Kristen. “I could have joined a board or volunteered in some other way, but I chose to volunteer as a mentor because I wanted to do something more personal.”
Marantha’s mother, Terra, is very glad that Kristen decided to volunteer as a mentor. “I am so grateful for Kristen,” said Terra. “She gives Marantha the chance to do a lot of things that I physically can’t do with her, like hiking and swimming. Kristen is a great role model because she is respectful of people with different beliefs. When I see Marantha and Kristen together, they are always smiling. I can’t believe how well they were matched.”
Kristen and Marantha have built a strong and fun-loving friendship. “In the beginning, when we first met, I was a little shy and unsure,” said Marantha. “But then I got to know Kristen. She is a really great person! We enjoy going on hikes with her dogs, and she helps me with my homework. I can’t pick out one favorite time that I’ve spent with Kristen because every time we’re together, I feel special.”
When the two are together, Kristen and Marantha enjoy the simple things: baking cookies, tending their garden, playing board games, and making crafts. They especially love the holidays. This year they dyed eggs for Easter, built a gingerbread house, and carved pumpkins for Halloween.
Although Kristen leads a busy life, she is committed to making time for her mentee. “At first, I was reluctant to volunteer as a mentor because I work a lot and am always busy,” said Kristen. “I’m so glad that I didn’t let my perceived lack of time stop me from volunteering. Mentoring has given me the opportunity to try new things and go on adventures I normally wouldn’t have made time for. For anyone thinking about mentoring, my advice is to just jump in and do it. The Mentoring Program offers so much support and it’s a lot of fun!”
The Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program has thirteen kids currently waiting to be matched with mentors. An eleven-year-old boy in Arnold would like to spend time with a kind man who enjoys being outdoors. Another boy in Angels Camp wants to learn how to golf. And a little girl in San Andreas is looking for a friend who enjoys doing art projects. There are many ways to support the Calaveras Youth 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 at (209) 736-6078 or visit us online at www.calaverasmentoring.org.
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