Blog 25: Mentorship

L:

Hours
Mentor: Jerrica Bonilla (909)969-1852

I:

What I've gained from my senior project experience is friendships within my community. Not only with staff of the De Anza Teen Center, but with the youth of Ontario. I've met and helped some really cool kids. I got a particular kid to be competitive with others about his grades which is really cool. I'm sure these friendships will last too because even though my project is finished I'll still go back to the center.

A:

My mentorship has significantly helped me solve my essential question. This is because I was able to see all my answers first hand. I got to see that having a big variety of programs can keep coming back to get support. I saw that encouraging healthy eating and living supported kids greatly when I saw all the smiles on their faces when they started seeing results. I also saw why my best answer of providing staff willing to build relationships with kids inaction. It was amazing to see all the regulars that were so engaging with staff and the new kids that soon became the same way.

Blog 11: Mentorship 10 Hours Check

1.   Where are you doing your mentorship?
For my mentorship I help and get involved with programs at the De Anza Teen Center.

2.   Who is your contact?
My contact is my mentor Jerrica Bonilla, an employee at the teen center.

3.   How many total hours have you done (total hours should be reflected in your mentorship log located on the right hand side of your blog like your WB)?
I have 27 total hours completed. 

4.   Summarize the 10 hours of service you did.
For my 10 hours of mentorship I have helped out in the teen action committee (volunteer program for teens), helped kids with their homework at the center, helped prepare several events and other after school activities at the center. 

Blog 1: Summer Mentorship Component

Mentorship

Literal (Know):

10 Hour Mentorship Log

Wednesday, 8/1/12 5:30pm-6:30pm (1 hour)
Tuesday, 8/7/12 5:00pm-9:00pm (4hours)
Wednesday, 8/15/12 5:30pm-6:30pm (1 hour)
Saturday, 8/25/12  7:30am-3:30pm (8 hours)

Duties:

My duties include monitoring the children and teens that go to the center, preparing games that are played in the gym, collecting equipment when everyone is done, helping with other activities, working events held at the center, going to the meetings for up and coming events, reporting misbehavior, and making sure everyone has a pleasant time.

Contact: 

Candice Smith (909) 395-2393 csmith@ci.ontario.ca.us

Literal (Need to Know):

     -What is needed to keep the kids coming back to the community center?
     -What is the best way to prevent problems at the community center?
     -How many kids will pass through in a day?
     -How much compromise will there need to be when selecting a game for the kids to play?
     -How many events will be held throughout my time at the center?
     -How many different kinds of people will go to the center regularly?

Interpretive:

The most important thing that I've gained from this experience is patience, before i started this program I would get upset at people who were slow to learn and mad at people who wouldn't function with everyone else. After having to teach kids games and keep everyone calm to not get mad if they were losing taught me that patience is a very important skill in most jobs. This makes me happy that i picked this topic for my project and eager to learn more.

Applied

My time at the De Anza Community Center helped me decide on my topic because I've learned so much through my public service at the center that I'm sure in a year I will learn much more in the year to come.