By Sophie Saint-Firmin, News Editor
As humans we have the natural need to connect with others, especially at a young age. Between interactions in the school yard and classroom, having the ability to form social connections is a fundamental skill that can impact a child in the long run. Forming these connections, however, does not always come easily, and failed attempts can often leave people feeling lonely. It is important to have individuals whom we can relate to and confide in during trying times.
Factors such as cultural differences can form barriers, and that can eventually isolate someone from the rest. Being mentored by someone who understands and has been through a similar situation is one way these children are finding the beauty in diversity.
Last semester, the office of of intercultural affairs was approached by Anna Kenion, a representative from CARE — Community, Academics, Resources, Equity — a grassroots community organization that works to match needs in the school system and community with resources. Kenion then connected the office of intercultural affairs with Lori Hollen, the director of elementary schools in Jessamine County, Kentucky.
Maria Brown, the intercultural affairs coordinator at Asbury, asked various students if they would be interested in mentoring elementary school students. “I found that most students I asked were excited about the opportunity even if they couldn’t say yes due to scheduling issues,” Brown said.
Several students showed interest and then applied for the program. After sending in their applications and successfully completing a background check, they were then matched with a student at a corresponding school. Many of the elementary students in the mentoring program are ethnic minorities, and the majority of the applicants were matched with students of the same ethnicity.
“I think the power of seeing someone who looks like yourself in a position of leadership or mentoring or even just friendship can’t be overstated,” said Brown. “We all need people who are ‘ahead’ of us in life that we can see ourselves in, and I think it’s possible that this is especially true for those in minority populations.”
The Asbury mentors in the program also believe that it is important for the elementary students to have someone who resembles them and has a similar background in a school setting. Senior and Vice President of Student Intercultural Programs Stephanie Beltran stated, “I remember who I was when I was a little girl in a predominately white elementary school and remember how much I needed a Latina role model, outside of just my family and celebrities, so I try to be that for my mentee.”
Many of the applicants found it hard to get to their placements during the lunch hour because of class schedules, so they made the choice to carpool in the mornings before their classes began.
Getting to the schools by 7:30 a.m. is not always easy for college students, but according to junior Aron Van Gooswilligen, he stays motivated by getting to leave the college setting and hanging out with his mentee. Forming relationships through the program does not always come easy, though. Van Gooswilligen said that waking up early and not knowing how to respond when his mentee asks difficult questions can be hard.
The mentors and mentees alike learn valuable lessons from each other through this experience. Playing board games, running around in the gym and merely having conversations foster an environment of trust where the mentees feel more comfortable sharing problems they are facing.
“My kid knows he can talk to me freely and without judgment,” said Van Gooswilligen. “I have been impacted by the way he faces life despite his challenges.”
“I’ve learned patience and how to lend a listening ear to someone who really needs one, and listening to the ideas of this bright little girl makes me so happy and proud,” said Beltran. “’I’ve been impacted because I’ve learned that no matter how hard someone’s exterior may be, TLC [tender loving care] can help transform and soften a person, and listening and encouraging can bring someone to grow into themselves.”
Brown wants the program to be an open door of communication and involvement between Asbury students and children in the community, as well as allow the children to see the love of Christ in the way the mentors interact with them. This program offers the opportunity for children to feel seen and heard and to let them see that their dreams can come true.
“My hope for our AU mentors is that they will be challenged to live the way they are encouraging their mentees to live, and that in serving, they will be blessed,” Brown said.
There is a need for more student mentors next semester. If you are interested in joining the program, contact Maria Brown by email at maria.e.brown@asbury.edu or stop by the office of intercultural affairs in Fletcher-Early.
