stone savage

Sorry to have been away for so long. I’ve spent a few months trying to refocus and pull together some thoughts and then got side-tracked by life. But I’m back now, and hopefully will be updating on a more regular basis… though I do have some activities coming up that may pull me away for a little longer. In any case, let’s dust off the cobwebs and get back to thinking.

[More:]

As a young, urban, professional it is often-times easy to forget that not everyone is or has the same opportunity to become one if they so desired. There are millions of teenagers growing up without access to the sort of role-models who will encourage them to rise above the difficulties of inner-city living or paycheck to paycheck existences.

A year ago I came across a website for a non-profit organization out to help match up young people with professionals who would act as mentors. All the “work” takes place over the organization’s website, and the nice thing about it is that it’s not like pulling teeth to get the kids to talk. I’ve been a mentor there since June of last 2004 and find that most of these kids are really just wanting to understand how to get from where they are to where they want to be.

I know I could have used just such a mentor when I was growing up, and wonder how much further towards that end-goal I’d be now if I’d had it. Luckily, I acquired a great set of mentors as a young adult, two wonderful people I lovingly refer to as “The Keepers of the Gates of Wisdom". I cannot imagine having gone through the last decade of my life without having them to call upon for advice, consoling, and stern encouragements.

I’m not a parent, and doubt I ever will be one, but I do know that there is a need for external role-modeling outside of traditional families. From the perspective of a person who grew up without these things, I can tell you that the reason they are so important is because it gives the young person a perspective beyond the one they’re surrounded with at home. That’s important because, like it or not, kids question everything - and no matter how right you may be as an authority figure for that kid, your opinion isn’t nearly as worthwhile as that of someone who is considered unbiased.

Having a mentor is a wonderful thing. Being one is entirely something both humbling and inspiring. To know that you can help someone through difficult times, or push them in the right direction is truly amazing. There’s a bit of fear involved, too, I won’t deny that. I wonder if I’m giving the right advice or encouraging with the right words every time I send off an email to one of my charges… but, giving my best thoughts are better than not giving any at all.

I encourage each of you to think of the role-models you had in your life. Then consider being one for someone else. Visit the I Could Be website to find out how you can volunteer just a half-hour of your time a week to send some emails and change a kid’s life forever.

————————————————————————–