Friends and Mentoring

Program Description:

Friends is based on a simple, but well-researched concept: children do better when they have an additional adult involved in their life.

Such a simple statement, yet it carries so much wisdom and truth.  Do you remember an adult who took the time to do something special with you?  Perhaps a coach, or a teacher, or a neighbor who made you feel very special?  Many of us look back to our own childhood and see someone who stands out, someone who made a difference in our lives.  That is what Friends is about, making a difference in a child's life by matching a caring adult with a young person.

How We Can Help:

Since October 1999, "friends" has matched over 45 children with adults who want to share time having fun with a child.   After a thorough and intensive screening process, adults are matched with children based on mutual interests.  Men are matched with boys, and women with girls.   Adult volunteers are asked to commit to meet with their young friend once a week, for about 1 1/2 hours, for at least one year.  The weekly visit is centered around a fun activity that the adult and child can both enjoy together.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Adult volunteers are screened through a variety of procedural steps. 

• Children are referred by parents, grandparents, teachers or other adults involved in a child's life.  Elementary age through teenagers are accepted.

FAQs

Q.   Do I need special training?

A.    No.  Friends is based on friendship.  Anyone can be a special friend to a child.  The "readiness" class we ask you to participate in includes information on risk management, ethics of working with children, and the dynamics of friendship with a child.   No formal training is required.

Q.    What about liability?

A.    Friends is covered under the Walla Walla County Risk Pool Liability Fund, in a generous partnership between Walla Walla County and the Department of Human Services.

Q.    What if a match just doesn't work?

A.    We can re-match you with another child.  Only one adult has ever requested a re-match.

Q.    What if I want to continue past the one-year commitment?

A.    We hope you will!  A true friendship in not measured by a one-year commitment.  To date, no adult has requested that they end their friendship.  However, we only ask for the one-year commitment.  Beyond that, it's your call.

Links and Contacts for Related Information:

• National Mentoring Partnership

• Bridge Program 

  Children's Home Society,  Walla Walla

  Call 529-2130

Activities:

Friends will present to any group, gathering or club.  Just call to request a presentation.  Anyone is invited to our monthly readiness session, or to the three times monthly support groups hosted for the adult volunteers.  Spanish applications are available on request.

Regular Meetings:

Friends meet three times per month.  Please see our Meetings page for details.

Also, the Friends advisory board meets the first Tuesday of every month from noon until 1:30 p.m. at the Department of Human Services, 2nd floor.  Please see address below.

 Contact Person:

Please email Teri Barila or call 527-4745 for further information on these opportunities or to request a brochure.