It's National Mentoring Month and look here for a peek at what a long term mentoring relationship can do : for a family, a parent, a child and mentor!!
Kirsten and Malia have been together since June 2009 and it’s easy
to see how well they get along. “Our personalities are so similar, she’s just
like me when I was that age,” says Kirsten. “Sometimes it seems like Malia and
I are the same person – we see the world and react to things in a very similar
way. It feels like we “get” each other and we don’t need to explain
things. For example, a couple years ago, we went to see The Nutcracker
(ballet) around the holidays. Malia’s comment afterward was ‘I like it
better when they talk.’ That was EXACTLY what I’d been thinking too –
when I told her that we just laughed.” They both love animals, so they
enjoy playing with Kirsten’s dogs & cats, and visiting Kirsten’s horse. The
highlight of their match to date was a “behind the scenes” tour of the MN Zoo
from a friend who is a zookeeper. “We got to give the Tapirs a massage
(with a deck broom!) and see a 4 day old baby sloth. It was truly amazing
– we were so privileged.”
Malia loves baking cookies at Kirsten’s house where she also gives
Kirsten a hard time about how old the flour is, or when the last time she used
the oven was. Malia easy ‘outbakes’ Kirsten, which is a big hit with
Gordie, Kirsten’s husband. Kirsten admits she was surprised by how easy
it has been to find things to do together. “It’s so easy! We don’t have
to do special things all of the time – just hanging out or taking the dogs to
the park is just as much fun as the “big” stuff. She’s the easiest person
to hang with in the whole world!”
Malia’s mom Joann appreciates that Malia has “someone to talk who
is not biased, not part of the family.” Kirsten includes Malia in family
gatherings and when Kirsten goes on vacation, she sends Malia postcards which
Malia collects in a keepsake box. Joann has nothing but good things to
say about Kirsten and the impact she has had on Malia: “[She is] such a
blessing! I love dealing with her and she’s just a gem! I was just
telling my sister how good of a relationship it is and I think it’s really
helping Malia’s self-esteem…it just brightens up her day…it has been huge in
Malia’s life. I am extremely grateful for Kirsten, for her
encouragement….Kirsten is a good role model for her. She always shows
respect and is kind.” Kirsten also speaks very highly of Joann and Malia:
“Joann is a very empathic person; [she] looks for the good in people. I have
such respect for Joann as a mom. She’s doing a great job with her
girls!” About Malia, Kirsten says “She’s a very grateful, open minded,
gracious young lady and I love that about her. She also has an amazing
memory; I swear she never forgets anything, ever.”
Malia has really blossomed with Kirsten’s dedicated support. She
has discovered a joy of reading and won the Reach award (Respect, Empathy,
Achievement, Citizenship & Hopes & dreams) at school three times.
She also sang a Taylor Swift song solo at her choir concert! Kirsten
believes in her mentee, listens to her, and encourages her in all her goals.
Malia wrote about her match last summer in the Tech Mentor project: “I met
Kirsten when I was about 8 years old. It was awkward at first because I
really don’t like being around new people but I gave her a chance and we became
friends slowly but surely. Being around her has made a huge difference in
my life! My grades have improved since I’ve been with Kirsten I
think it helped that once in a while she would send a letter saying ‘I’m really
proud of you’”. Kirsten says, “Mentoring is really as impactful for the
mentor as it is for the mentee. Mentoring is a great way to look at the world
differently and try things you wouldn’t otherwise have tried.” Kirsten
looks forward to “many more years of hanging out with this totally cool young
lady.”
These 2 had a had a fantastic interview at WCCO this week!! Take a look.
Would you like to make a difference? Go here!
