MENTORSHIPS MATTER

Sheri Jones-Chamberlain faced a slew of obstacles while growing up, and often, she made the wrong decision.

"I feel like if I had a mentor growing up then maybe I wouldn't have made some of the mistakes that I did,” Sheri said. That’s what inspired her to become a mentor with BEST Kids, an organization that matches mentors with foster children in D.C.’s welfare system.

Because foster kids are moved around so much, they are often plagued with attachment disorders, said Krislyn Mossman, executive director of BEST Kids.

“But going through the foster care system it’s something definitely very difficult," Krislyn said. "It’s not really a normal upbringing. Pretty much everything that’s meaningful to you gets ripped away and that’s something that’s obviously very difficult for the kids we work with, obviously.”

At present, there are about 75 children who are served through BEST Kids, with plans to expand. Mentors are asked to commit for a minimum of a year, and to meet with their mentees for 10 hours a month.

“[We can do] pretty much anything you can think of as long as it’s local and not overnight," said Sheri.

Gretchen Rydin, who’s been a mentor to the same child for more than 3 years now, has pretty much done it all with her mentee.

“I took him sledding last year - his first time ever - and it was exciting to watch him learn how to do it and master the sled, said Gretchen. "After the first few times down the awesome sledding hill at Takoma Park Middle School, he wanted to quit, as he kept falling off his sled, but then we switched sleds and I encouraged him to try one more time and he nailed it. I even caught a giggle, which was music to my ears coming from this 'too cool' pre-teen."

BEST Kids, Inc. Mentor Q&A

GRETCHEN RYDIN

What motivated you to join BEST Kids?
I want to foster children one day, so I thought this would help me prepare for that and to better understand this population. I realized a while ago that one of my strengths is in developing one-on-one relationships, and considering the foster care component, this seemed like a good fit. Plus, BEST Kids is the only program like it in this area.

How long have you been a mentor?
My mentee and I just celebrated our 3-year anniversary in October 2014, but I started the process in July 2011. He was 10 years old, and now he is 13.

What's your most memorable experience with your mentee?
There are a lot to chose from! We've done a lot of firsts together - attending professional soccer game, college basketball game, a Redskins game, lots of sporting events, as that is one of his biggest interests. I took him sledding last year - his first time ever - and it was exciting to watch him learn how to do it and master the sled. After the first few times down the awesome sledding hill at Takoma Park Middle School, he wanted to quit, as he kept falling off his sled, but then we switched sleds and I encouraged him to try one more time and he nailed it. I even caught a giggle, which was music to my ears coming from this "too cool" pre-teen.

What's been the greatest challenge you've faced?
Right now, the greatest challenge is him getting older and trying to figure out who he is and where he fits in at school. I'm reading a few books about this right not, especially dealing with teenagers and peer pressure, so I can better understand how to coach him through this tumultuous time in his life. The gender barrier between us is also an increasing challenge, especially now that he is entering these teenage years. We do some activities sometimes with my guy friends, and he is always quick to bond with them. I want him to have more positive male role models in his life.

Best Kids Mentor Q&A

SHERI JONES-CHAMBERLAIN

What motivated you to join BEST kids?
I joined Best Kids because I faced many obstacles and hardships growing up, and I wanted to be a positive role model in a child's life. I feel like if I had a mentor growing up then maybe I wouldn't have made some of the mistakes that I did.

How long have you been a mentor?
I have been a mentor since November 2013

What's your most memorable experience with your mentee?
The most memorable experience that I have with my mentee was taking her to Howard University for a Holiday event Best Kids had for the mentees, their families and caregivers. I enjoyed watching her participate in the activities and also being able to engage with her peers in a positive way.

What's been the greatest challenge you've faced?
The biggest challenge I have faced while mentoring is being able to establish and maintain a professional relationship with my mentee's caregiver. Mentors serve as a friend/role model for children in need. A mentor's responsibility is not to pick up the pieces or slack in areas that the caregiver does not provide.

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About the Author: Marcella McCarthy is a freelance health writer with The Miami Herald. A graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, Marcella holds dual Brazilian/American citizenship, and is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. She lives in the Washington, DC area.