By: Kalie Date: 08/13/2015
I felt a range of emotions when I first became a mentor at Alpha Women’s Center of Grand Rapids (AWC). Although excited about the new experiences and hopeful that my classes at the university had prepared me, I was still nervous that as a 21-year-old college student (who was not a mother), I wouldn’t relate to my clients. I’ll never forget my very first client, Isabella*. She was incredibly patient with me as I fumbled my way through forms and questions. She kindly stayed in the room even after I told her that I was new and still learning. She did however question how old I was and seemed a little confused when I told her I didn’t have any children. I tried not to panic as my brain went into overdrive. “She thinks I’m an idiot! She’s not going to want to talk to me if I’m not a mom!” I thought. “I better think of something really wise and insightful to say!”
It’s funny how we often think we have to be perfect in order to do something. I walked into the mentor room that day believing that I had to say everything perfectly or else I would fail to meet my client’s needs. But Isabella didn’t need me to say anything at all; I spent most of our session sitting in silence and just listening. When we ended our time together, she thanked me and told me I had done a great job. The fact that I was over a decade younger than her didn’t matter. The fact that I didn’t have any children didn’t matter. The fact that I had nothing life-altering to say didn’t matter. What mattered was that I sat there for 45 minutes and let her share her story.
When we give tours at AWC, we always express our ongoing need for more mentors. We have a long waiting list because we don’t have enough mentors to see everyone. Clients call on a daily basis and request appointments that we can’t give to them until something opens up next month or the month after that. When I ask potential volunteers how they feel about mentoring, 9 times out of 10 there is a panicked look in their eyes as they say something along the lines of “well, I don’t know if I’m qualified for that,” or “um, that sounds really intimidating…” The truth is that mentoring is intimidating but our clients generally don’t need the most qualified, capable, perfect person. They need someone willing to sit with them, listen to them, and care about them.
At AWC, we equip mentors to feel confident in their role through our Volunteer Training. This program was specifically designed for AWC and teaches new mentors through classes and experiential learning. We have another round of training beginning Tuesday, September 15, and we hope to see more mentors joining AWC and getting involved in the community. The need is there. The clients are ready. What about you?
“God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” –Henry Blackaby
For more information about mentoring or Volunteer Training, email [email protected] or call 616-742-0242.
*Name has been changed to protect client’s confidentiality
Recent Comments