Volunteer or “No, Thanks”
It never crossed my mind when I was younger to volunteer. Giving away my valuable time…and for free? Nah, I wanted the dollars. But lately, my thought processes have shifted and all of a sudden, I wanted to give back. But with what organization and how much time should I invest? Maybe that’s why more people don’t volunteer, maybe they don’t know where to start? There are so many options to choose from, what do you consider? I had to ask myself, what do I love to do? That was easy. I love to teach and I love fly fishing. One day, as I was scrolling through IG, I came across The Mayfly Project. I clicked on the link and knew that this was the place where I’d pay to give my time and knowledge. TMP, a national organization, supports foster children through the magic of fly fishing, mentorship, and teaching skills – not only fly fishing, but through building confidence, social skills, learning about the outdoors, and the conservation of our waters. I signed up immediately. Keep in mind this is not just a sign up and go organization. TMP requires a comprehensive application process, strong references, a background and fingerprint check. Once you’ve been cleared and become a mentor, you still need to read the Mentor Manual, which teaches about:
· Children in Foster Care
· Trauma Informed Care and Inclusivity
· Communication and Behavior Response Guidelines
· Handling Escalation and Disruptive Behaviors
· Conflict Resolution and Mandated Reporting
· Tips for Being a Great Mentor
· Tips for Being a Great Fly Fishing Guide
· The Mayfly Project Program Rules
Rigorous, right? And rightfully so. As a special education teacher, I’ve seen the effects of trauma, abuse, and neglect on our children. But on the flip side, I’ve seen amazing growth and change in an at-risk child if they have a mentor they can trust and where that mentor allows the child to feel safe. Safe enough to see their strengths and capabilities. I cannot wait to go on this journey with these kids, this program and even more so, I cannot wait to learn from this experience and hope I continue to grow into a better version of myself.
The New Mexico / Santa Fe TMP is ready to go! We just need more foster children to sign up. See the attached link if you have any connections or want more info:
https://themayflyproject.com/mentee-registration-form/
If you want to become a mentor with The Mayfly Project or just want to learn more:
When the time is right for you…think about giving back. <3
Trish
