FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2003 Media Contact: Ashley Anderson
970-922-0134 / ashley@sopris.net

National Expert To Speak on 'The Power of Mentoring'

It is part of a child's nature to seek out role models - and in a media-dominated world that glorifies sports and entertainment figures, the person they decide to emulate can be more than a little troubling.

On Tuesday, September 23, The Buddy Program will present a free community presentation titled, "Changing the World One Child at a Time: The Power of Mentoring," featuring award-winning author Dr. Susan Weinberger.

Due to the dramatic increase in families with two working parents, single-parent families and the frightening implications of 9/11, local communities need well-trained mentors more than ever, according to Dr. Weinberger.

The community event will kick off with a free pizza party from 5:30-6:15 p.m. at The Given Institute Courtyard (child care will be provided), to be followed by Dr. Weinberger's free public lecture from 6:15 to 7:15. The Given Institute is located at 100 E. Francis Street, Aspen.

Dr. Weinberger is a member of the National Mentoring Partnership Board of Directors, the award-winning author of "My Mentor & Me" and winner of President Clinton's Volunteer Action Award in 1993.

"Children are starving today - not so much for a healthy meal, but for adult attention," said Dr. Weinberger, in a recent interview. "If somebody says, 'I care about you', it makes more difference than you know."

Dr. Weinberger is well aware that parents are competing with a powerful media presence that often has unintended consequences for children.

"The kind of coverage that occurs in the media about athletes and entertainers making so much money and living in mansions - that's very attractive to kids, and they want to live in a mansion too," she said. "Unfortunately, there are an awful lot of people in both sports and entertainment who aren't good role models, so it's all the more important to steer kids toward good role models."

Dr. Weinberger will not only talk about how mentoring helps children - including better social skills, improved academic performance and a lower chance of initiating drug use - she'll also talk about the often unexpected benefits to the adult who becomes a mentor.

"It's pretty simple," said Dr. Weinberger. "Adults who become mentors feel a lot better about themselves, and it carries over to the other relationships in their lives. Being a mentor means being more patient, re-learning the simple ability to listen and gaining a fresh perspective on life - a reinvigoration of core values and beliefs."

Dr. Weinberger says that setting an example for a young child naturally starts with "internal coaching - you begin to think about your own values as you share them with others."

Two separate studies have shown that people realize unexpected benefits from becoming a mentor - from a positive reassessment of their own beliefs, to gaining new friendships, both with other mentors and with the family of the child they're mentoring.

"People realize that it's been too long since they spent an hour or two of quality time with their spouse, or an old friend - a time when they really listen, and look together for activities that they both enjoy," said Dr. Weinberger.

In addition to a thorough screening process, new mentors receive valuable training in communication skills, goal-setting and conflict resolution. The Buddy Program's primary mentor program requires "Buddy Pairs" to meet two to three times per month - and Dr. Weinberger says that's plenty of time to make a difference.

"You don't have to spend three hours a week in order to have an impact - a few hours a month will really make a difference in the life of a child - and you," said Dr. Weinberger. "Mentoring is nothing new - it can be found prominently in western thought, all the way back to Homer - a mentor is like a friendly guide that helps a younger person along. But in today's society, it's needed more than ever."

Studies have shown that since 9/11, more children don't feel safe, and not just in New York City and Washington D.C. - but all over America.

"There's been so much coverage on TV that kids are more frightened," said Dr. Weinberger.

During her talk, Dr. Weinberger will also be debunking a few myths. "There is a myth that needs to be dispelled, that the only children who can benefit from mentoring are from single-parent homes, or have some kind of emotional problem," she said. "The reality is - every kid can benefit from one more support system in their lives."

Dr. Weinberger asks a simple question: "Have you ever noticed that kids in the middle years find it much easier to talk to someone other than their parents, to share their confidences and experiences?"

The award-winning author is careful about how she chooses her words. "I really don't like the phrase - 'at risk,'" she said. "A much better phrase is, 'at the brink of success.' We're in the business of positive youth development."

"Every successful person will tell you about at least one person, whether it was someone in the neighborhood where they grew up, a church or synagogue, at school or at work who acted as a mentor," she said.

During her talk, Dr. Weinberger won't go into detail about training for mentors, but there are a few basics that she will cover. A mentor is taught to be like a coach, a cheerleader and an advocate - and never to play the role of a parent. Consistency - and being on time - are extremely important.

While The Buddy Program celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2003, the local non-profit is looking for new volunteer mentors, expanding public programming, and is also helping to launch a new school-based mentoring program at the Aspen Middle School.

School-based mentoring is the fastest growing style of mentoring in the country, according to a 2002 poll conducted by the National Mentoring Partnership, in conjunction with AOL-Time Warner.

Dr. Weinberger designed and developed the first school-based mentoring program in the United States, and will be talking with school administrators and teachers during her visit to Aspen. She will help Aspen Middle School develop a school based mentoring pilot program which begins this fall with 12-15 students. The schools hope to expand the program to Basalt in 2004.

Support for mentoring has grown dramatically in the last few years, ever since a summit held by President Clinton titled, "America's Promise" in April 1997. The governors of every state, all living presidents and CEOs of leading corporations gathered to make five promises to America's children - and more mentoring programs was chosen as the first promise.

Today, 23 states have adopted mentoring programs in the last six years, including Colorado - and nine more states in the process of establishing new programs. The statewide program typically offer support for local program in the form of technical assistance and training.

The Buddy Program, established in 1973, offers volunteer mentor relationships to children ages 6-18, living between Aspen and El Jebel. For more information, contact The Buddy Program at 925-5717 and on the web at www.buddyprogram.org.