Mentoring: After Homework, Time
for Fun
“I got a mentor because I felt like I needed some extra help with my homework, and because I wanted to be around someone who would listen to me and take the time to get to know me.”
Those words were written by Joseph, an 11-year-old member of the South Boston Club. One of four children, Joseph lives with his parents and siblings in Mattapan and attends middle school in Dorchester.
Patrick McKiernan has been serving as Joseph’s mentor since October as part of BGCB’s mentoring program. In less than a year, our mentoring program became one of the first to be recognized by Mass Mentoring Partnership (MMP) through its Quality Based Membership Initiative, a recognition program launched last year and now getting large-scale roll out.
As their priority each time they meet, Pat works with Joseph on whatever homework he has that day. Joseph especially appreciates the help with Math, English Language Arts, and writing skills.
Their relationship is about much more than homework and Joseph is quick to mention that Pat has taught him life skills. “He taught me that I need to have patience when dealing with certain people, and that everyone can make mistakes,” he says. “I know that when I put my mind on something I can do it, but sometimes I just need that extra motivation that Pat gives me,” he adds.
For Pat, the mentoring program at the Club sounded like a wonderful opportunity to make a tangible impact by focusing on helping one young person on a week-to-week basis. With a demanding job and sometimes unpredictable work hours, he says he knew he needed a flexible volunteer opportunity that could accommodate the modest amount of time he had to give, and the Club’s easy access from the Red Line was a plus.
“We’re able to help each other a lot. It’s an amazing, rewarding experience for me, and I’m learning as much from Joseph as, hopefully, he’s learning from me,” Pat says. “He’s got a perspective and imagination and creativity that amaze me every week.”
After homework help and life skills lessons, Pat and Joseph always make time for fun, including playing ping pong, Guitar Hero, and pool. Joseph says, “I really enjoy having a mentor because he listens to me, enjoys being around me, and we have a lot of fun together. Pat has had a very positive impact on my life thus far.”
Lisa Helm agrees. The School Age Child Care Director at the South Boston Club says, “Since Joseph began working with his mentor, we have seen a noticeable, positive change in his behavior. He is developing into a more mature young adult; demonstrating respect and patience, and emerging as a role model for our younger members.”
Mentoring Joseph is something Pat says he looks forward to every week. To become a mentor, contact Leah Reich at 617-994-4700 or lreich@bgcb.org.