Will You Be A Mentor?
“You can cheer for them and love them at 10 years old and give them hope and a future, or you can lock them up at 17 or 18 years old and say that you are tough on crime. It is your choice.” - Casey Gwinn
Dear San Diego County Linked In Friends,
Will you commit to be a mentor for a teen impacted by family violence in San Diego County? It could save a life.
Chris first came to camp three years ago in a very dark place in life facing the imminent divorce of his parents and violence and abuse at the hands of his father. He had decided to kill himself on this 17th birthday. But Chris found caring adults and strong bonds with other teens at Camp HOPE three years ago. Through the journey of caring mentors he found a pathway to hope and healing. Today, he is a pre-med, neurosciences major on a full-ride scholarship at UCLA. Will you be a caring adult mentor in the life of a trauma-exposed young person?
Alliance for HOPE International has received a grant from the Verizon Foundation to bring hope and healing to children and teens impacted by domestic violence by providing holistic year-round programming and mentoring. In addition to breaking the generational cycle of family violence, the Pathways to HOPE project will introduce participating youth to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activities with the goal of inspiring children to pursue a post-secondary education or vocational school. We need your help!
One of the ways we will be wildly successful is by the participation of people like you in our group mentoring model. Would you be willing to come experience Camp HOPE this summer as a volunteer? Then, are you willing to be a mentor and come along side a small group of children and teens for monthly activities and relationship building after they return from Camp HOPE this summer? We want children to have role models to help guide them through this year-long journey toward hope and healing from the terrible trauma and abuse they have experienced. Through your participation once a month (3-4 hours), you will help us have a lifelong impact on a child’s life! We can't pay you for your time but we will cover the costs associated with all of the activities.
The application deadline to be a mentor is June 1st, 2016. Camping weeks will take place July 11-16 or July 24-30.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in being a mentor and participating in a life changing program with children ages 11-17 please visit the Pathways to HOPE Project page on the Camp HOPE America website below to learn more and apply to be a mentor. If you have any additional questions, please contact Yesenia Aceves, Director of the Pathways to HOPE Project at [email protected] or email me directly at [email protected].
With a Great HOPE,
Casey