VOLUNTEER:  TESTIMONIALS

Are you wondering if mentoring or tutoring is right for you?  Here's what a few volunteers have said about their experience with Metro Denver Partners:

     For me, mentoring has become much more than I had hoped for. My junior partner reminds me to live in the moment and to appreciate what I have in my life.  He teaches me as much or more than I help him with; so it’s good for both of us.
Rick, Mentor

     I was lucky to be matched with a Junior Partner several years ago through Metro Denver Partners. He moved out of the state leaving me without my young friend. After a couple of years of not being involved with Partners, my husband, Will, and I decided we were really itching to get involved in our community and the young people in it.
     We met with [Tutoring Coordinator] Sandy Houston about tutoring and spent a wonderful school year getting to know some spunky 3rd - 5th grade boys. We were particularly drawn to Richard's character (and Southern roots as we are both from the South) and excited to hear that Richard had a sister close to his age. Sandy let us know that they were both eager to be matched with mentors. Will and I now mentor Richard and Mariah and often spend time playing games, cooking, studying as a four-pack. It has been, and will continue to be, a great match for all four of us.  
Lisa, Mentor

     I became a part of the Tutoring Program in December of 2008.  I decided to join because the flexible tutoring schedule seemed like a perfect way to give back to children with a small commitment.  However, when I began to get more involved with tutoring and met the children that were awaiting a Senior Partner, I realized that I was ready to take the next step.  I was matched with my Junior Partner in June of 2009.  She has enriched my life exponentially and I feel that I learn something new from her everyday.  She teaches me about “cool music” and “what’s hot”, and I try to keep up!  The volunteer opportunities at MDP are as big or small as your schedule will allow, and that is why it has been such a good fit for me.  I wouldn’t change anything about my experience with Partners, and appreciate the organization’s ability to change with me as mine and my mentee's lives change.
Susan, Mentor

     My mentoring partnership with Kei'zuan began in 2007 when he was 11 years old and came up to about chest high on me. That first year is easy because the mission is pretty straightforward: get to know each other, establish a rhythm, volunteer a bit and have fun. In that process - three hours each week - you get to model some good behaviors, show them what other worlds are like and maybe even get them to envision a path toward their goals and dreams. But if you're like me, by the end of that year, something has taken you by surprise: you've changed, as well. You begin to see, once again, the grown-up world as mysterious and wonderful. You remember that every moment is an opportunity to learn and grow. You shift, at least momentarily, from the avoidance of failure toward the discovery of new capabilities. Maybe you've regained your kid-confidence, and if you're lucky, it sticks.
     Continuing past the first year was a no-brainer, due largely in part to the continued support we knew we'd receive. In the three years since our matching, scholarships from Metro Denver Partners have enabled Kei'zuan to pursue creative interests (poetry workshop, art day camp), learn new skills and make connections (Camp Comfort) and practice putting and driving (Denver youth golf program). Together, we've taken advantage of skills building opportunities and attended several events (Nuggets and Rapids games, camping trips and parties), all through resources provided by Partners. Such reliable support has given us the freedom to work together on our own creative projects, tutoring, music lessons, discovering new likes and dislikes (mostly food) and generally misbehaving as we see fit. Partners' case management is diligent and thoughtful; we'll never need to wonder about coming events and opportunities. And, frankly, it's nice to be reminded of the impact we have in each other's lives - even to this day, one voice-drop and growth spurt later.
     Yes, at 14 years old, Kei'zuan now stands eye-to-eye with me, and he very eagerly awaits the day when I have to look up at him. Maybe I've modeled enough kindness and restraint for the boy that I'll never have to hear about it. Maybe.
Tom, Mentor