Building Confidence Through Adult Mentoring

Trust takes work, time, and commitment to yourself and another person. It is a sense of accomplishment that leads us on the right path. It is the patience of time to work to get there, but also the work as a whole. There must be motivation and desires to keep going and to find new and better opportunities. All of this is a commitment to ourselves. 
 
Over a cup of coffee, Terry found himself discussing his future with a new friend, which he was hoping would become a long-term relationship. Terry was in a hard place looking to rebuild his structure of life. This friend, Jack, mentioned they should formalize this relationship through the Genesis Mentoring Program with Community Outreach, where Jack has been volunteering as a mentor for several years. 
 
The Genesis Mentoring Program began in 2008, as a Sioux Empire United Way initiative to help families find more permanent and stable housing. Through the mentorship and community resources, this program helps clients move from receiving transactional services to long-term support.
 
Most Genesis candidates come from a referral which could be a friend, volunteer, church, etc. The program will only work really well if the candidate is in the right place in their own life to be committed. This is not a quick fix answer, it will take work and is 12 months long. 
 
Terry was ready to make this commitment to himself and with the help of his new mentor and the staff. He knew this was the right path for him, it was just going to take work. During the first 18 weeks of this program, Terry worked one on one with Jack. They took the time to discover his goals as a parent, professionally, financially, and emotionally. Together they would meet as scheduled and as needed to stay on track. 
 
Through this relationship and the resources of the community, Terry was connected with Lutheran Social Services Financial Resource Center to work on his credit recovery through counseling and student loan repair. Terry is also the first recipient of a vehicle through a new Community Outreach program; Rides to Success. The guidance of the program introduced Terry to these additional opportunities to help him get back on track. He now has a durable ride to get to and from work and has a better understanding of his finances to keep in on track to continue to meet his personal goals. 
 
“Before starting the Genesis Mentoring program, I was facing multiple issues alone, but because of this opportunity, I am supported!” stated Terry. 
 
Terry’s not the only one receiving support through Genesis. Your gift to Sioux Empire United Way has supported 138 Genesis mentees in the last year. That support is received through Community Outreach and partners that include rental assistance, Rides to Success, and financial stability. Through these relationships, the mentees have multiple resources and a community that supports them along the way.
 
“It is because of the great staff and my mentor who has so much life experience to share, that I would never be able to put a price tag on what this has done for me. My experience and my relationship is priceless. I also know, I now have a stronger foundation of life. I have the confidence to continue to build on.”