Mentor Duluth October News
Past Newsletters
Thank You Cold Stone Creamery!
Mentor Duluth and Five Points would like to extend a great big thank you to Cold Stone Creamery for donating ice cream to our "Step Up for Students" Ice Cream Social on September 2nd.
The event was great fun and brought in many new volunteers to work with students in our Five Points academic mentoring program. Thanks for your generous donation - it was quite a treat!
Mentor Trainings And Socials
Mark your calendars; we have some great training opportunities coming up:
- November (Was originally scheduled for October)
- The date and location is to be determined. As the school year gets rolling, we will be hosting a training on providing academic support to your mentee. Join us for tips and tricks on homework help and tutoring.
- November
- Mentor Social and Match Dinner: Bring your mentee for this one! Mentees will participate in a cooking lesson and prepare dinner for all to share, while mentors have a chance to chat. Join us at the Valley Youth Center, 727 North Central Avenue on November 13, 2008 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. for some great conversation and food!
As always, we value feedback about what kind of training opportunities you would like to see and suggestions for improvements. If you have any questions, contact Callie at 722-4745, ext. 142. Please RSVP for trainings at 722-4745, ext. 120.
"Alternatives"
Helping mentors help their mentees deal with and discuss non-violence, bullying, and other conflict related topics.
Wednesday, October 22 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Mentor Duluth and Men as Peacemakers/Mentoring Works are proud to offer all mentors an opportunity to learn about alternatives to violence, bullying and conflict, which mentors can discuss with their mentees. Men as Peacemakers has been conducting the training series "Alternatives" for over a decade, and is now excited to offer the training to mentors in Mentor Duluth.
The training focuses on dealing with, and stopping, violence and aggression in our communities through conflict resolution techniques, understanding different roles, stopping stereotypes and increased civic engagement. The workshop will be located at the Men as Peacemakers office at 205 West 2nd Street, Suite 15, (enter at street level from 2nd Street) in the Arrowhead Place Building.
Please contact Linda at 722-4745, ext. 120 to register.
Lindsy and Taneasha
Match of the Month
Lindsy says "She made me try dipping my french fries in ice cream...that wasn't my thing!" Taneasha says "Come on, it's good! Next you have to try peeling the cheese off your pizza and dipping it in ketchup!" Lindsy grimaces. Even though they have only been matched for six months, these two talk as if they are old friends.
Lindsy describes her mentee, Taneasha, who is 12, as a fun, active girl who likes to do "crazy things, like cartwheels in the middle of Canal Park. Taneasha says Lindsy is funny and fun to be around, and that she likes having someone to talk to and spend time with. They spent a lot of time together this summer hiking, going on picnics, swimming, camping, running, attending community events, and doing "a lot of talking." They even took Lindsy's cat, Lyra, for a walk on the beach! They are looking forward to all of the winter-time activities to come, such as sledding and skiing. "We really just love to joke around together" they said, on their way to the YMCA pool, where Taneasha times Lindsy to see how long she can do headstands under water. "Her record so far is eight seconds" says Taneasha.
Lindsy says this is why she likes having a younger friend: "I get to do stuff I wouldn't normally do." Congratulations to Taneasha and Lindsy for being the Mentor Duluth Match of the Month!
Five Points
Five Points is an academic mentoring program working with students in grades K-12. We match volunteers with students to assist them academically at a school site or local community center. This can be either during school hours or in an after-school program. The primary goal of Five Points is to support the relationship between the student and volunteer. An academic mentor may expect to help with homework, aid with specific subject areas, and participate in educational games and activities with the youth.
If you would like to tutor your existing mentee in school, know of someone who would be interested in becoming an academic mentor, or are a parent of a youth that could benefit from academic help, please contact Jeramy Katchuba at 722-4745, ext. 161 or jkatchuba@duluthymca.org.
Mentor Duluth Activities
Match Activities
Hayride And Bonfire
- WHEN:
- Saturday, October 18
- TIME:
- 1:00-3:00 p.m.
- WHERE:
- 5672 River Lane in Duluth - Call the Mentor Duluth office for directions
- COST:
- FREE
- NOTES:
- This activity starts off with a 45 minute hayride followed by a one hour bonfire with a warming house. We will have s'mores and hot chocolate by the fire. Please dress in layers. Call the Mentor Duluth office at 72-4745, ext. 120 to sign up.
Pal Activity
Pumpkin Carving
- DATE:
- Thursday, October 30
- TIME:
- 5:00-7:00 P.M.
- COST:
- FREE
- LOCATION:
- YMCA
- NOTES:
- Join volunteers from Phi Sigma Sigma at the YMCA for pumpkin carving and pizza! 10 youth age are encouraged to join in on the fun! Transportation will be provided so please sign-up. To sign-up call the Mentor Duluth office at 722-4745, ext. 120.
For Everyone
YMCA Halloween Carnival
The Duluth YMCA will be hosting the Fourth Annual Halloween Carnival on Friday, October 31st from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Join us for carnival games and tasty treats. Non–violent costumes are welcome, so come in your most ghoulish attire. The carnival is open to both YMCA members and non–members. So come and have a frightfully fun evening!!
Boo at the Zoo
October 11th & 18th from 10:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m.
Embark on a wild trick–or–treating adventure! Boo at the Zoo is a exciting and safe way for the whole family to celebrate Halloween. Costumes are highly recommended! Dress up the kids, and yourself, and head to the zoo. Kids of all ages will enjoy trick–or–treating around the zoo, the Haunted Hayride, pumpkins galore and special Halloween treats for our zoo animals.
Ticket prices are $8 in advance and $9 at the gate. Adult zoo members are free. Tickets may be purchased beginning September 15th. Call 730–4500 for more information.
Mentor Duluth Match Discounts
Show your match cards at these businesses and get:
- YMCA:
- Free Admission
- Incline Station:
- Buy one get one free.
- Aquarium:
- Free Admission
- Renegade Theater:
- Buy an adult ticket, get kid's ticket free. Good for kids shows only. Check www.renegadecomedy.org for listing of shows and schedules.
- Beaner's Central Coffee House:
- Buy 1 drink, get 1 drink half–off the regular price. Free tickets for most concerts. Go to www.beanerscentral.com or call Jen at 723–3523 to reserve tickets. Children's Museum: Free Admission Tickets (must be signed out by calling 727–4745) ext. 120).