San Andreas, CA…January is National Mentoring Month, and this year the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program (CYMP) and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are celebrating the annual campaign aimed at expanding quality mentoring opportunities to connect more of our community’s young people with caring adults.

National Mentoring Month is the time of year when engagement from community members interested in becoming a mentor is highest. This year, with the support of the mentoring community, we are encouraging the public to step forward to make a difference in the life of a youth. Volunteer-mentor relationships are best because youth recognize that someone is giving their time to help guide them through their life choices.

The Harvard Center for the Developing Child has found through studies that the greatest factor for improving a youth’s resilience is having a consistent adult relationship.

Vicki Harrington, a recently graduated CYMP mentor of an 8-year match shares, “Mentoring programs are a real plus in our community. We are unique with these opportunities that allow our kids to have expanded possibilities where both the mentor and the kid benefit. Being a mentor is a great life investment; it’s daunting at the beginning but gets easier with time.”

Ralph Barringer, who has been a CASA volunteer since 2017, “When you have the opportunity to spend time with a youth and form a lasting relationship, you get to watch them grow into amazing people. Sometimes they face some difficult challenges, but when they know there is an adult who will be there for them no matter what, it is impactful to the child.”

The Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program matches recommended youth in 1st through 12th grade to a volunteer mentor based on interests, location, and personality. Matches spend two hours per week together, in the community, doing fun activities such as fishing, eating, hiking, biking, kayaking, baking, building things, or just hanging out. If you would like to learn more about this Calaveras County Office of Education program, please contact Kaila Gaffney at 209-736-6078 or email KGaffney@ccoe.k12.ca.us.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Calaveras is part of a national organization that trains community volunteers to work with children specifically involved with the Court because of abuse and neglect. It is like a mentor relationship, in that the CASA spends time with the youth, and offers the youth a chance to have fun experiences, but at the same time, the CASA has the responsibility of advocating for the child’s best interest. CASAs can serve children from newborn to 21 years old. While the relationship with an infant and toddler is a different mentoring role, there are several reasons they also need a CASA to look out for their needs. To learn more about the CASA Program and what it takes to be a volunteer advocate, please contact Fara Roberts or email froberts@nexusyfs.org.

There are other ways to support mentoring besides becoming a CASA or a mentor. Business Owners: As a thank you to mentors for donating their time and supporting our local youth, local businesses join to be a Mentor Rewards Partner and offer discounts to mentors or CASAs when they show an ID card. Local Organizations: Do you have an open space where matches can escape the weather and hang out together? Let us know! Or consider financially supporting CYMP by donating to the Calaveras Mentoring Foundation, a 501(c)3.

The Calaveras Mentoring Foundation is a majority funder of the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program. They host fundraising events throughout the year to support and bring awareness to youth mentoring. Recent events have included a Barn Dance and their THE PARTY! that they host annually.

CASA of Calaveras is also a 501(c)3 non-profit organization under Nexus Youth & Family Services. Donations to the CASA Program support activities that strengthen the volunteer and youth relationship.

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