With a waiting list of mentees that seems to be constantly growing, we are always looking to vet new mentors for the Walk With Sally mentorship program. Due to demand, we are only able to host new mentor trainings roughly once a month, and we will be hosting the next one on Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017 at the Walk With Sally office in El Segundo. This month’s training is unique in that it takes place on a Tuesday evening from 6-9:30pm – hopefully making it accessible to a wide range of attendees.
We get asked all the time what it takes to be a mentor, and rest assured, we take great care and pride in our vetting process! To become an adult mentor in the program, we do ask that you are able to make at least a one year commitment to your new mentee friendship, while also understanding that often times these connections last for years to come. Also, you will need to be able to commit at least 6-8 hours per month to your mentee. This can be done by maybe spending a couple of hours together after school a few times per month, or maybe you spend an entire day together one weekend; exploring the town. The awesome part is, this can be tailored to both the mentor, and mentee’s schedule.
Something else we look for in a great mentor, is the level of connection you will have to your mentee. It’s important to be able to relate and share in their experience as they navigate their way through the trauma of dealing with either a death or cancer diagnosis. This is the beacon of hope that mentors can offer their young mentee. Letting them know that not only are they not alone, but that someone understands them and is willing to lend an ear, or even be a shoulder to cry on.
Currently, we are desperately in need of male mentors. With children being referred to Walk With Sally daily, the list of mentees in waiting just keeps growing. Unfortunately, the list of male mentors waiting to be matched, does not. If you or someone you know has been curious about becoming a mentor or honoring a loved one who has been impacted by cancer, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. Now is the perfect time to be a positive influence in a child’s life!
