Alexandria Mentors!

Parent Leadership Training Institute

2010-03-31T11:49:00.000-07:00

Resource for our Parents: Click here to visit the PLTI website.

Please share this information about a great program in our community for parents: The Parent Leadership Training Institute.

Spring for Alexandria! Join our team -- Join us on a boat trip down the Potomac River!

2010-03-25T08:51:00.000-07:00

Dear fellow lawn mowers, leaf rakers, hedge trimmers, and plant planters - in other words - members and friends of the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership:

Spring has sprung - and that means the countdown has begun to the 3rd annual Spring for Alexandria celebration of giving and service. This includes several days of giving: a gala, Business Philanthropy Summit and a time to join together and give of time. This year's events begin Thursday, April 29 and continue through Saturday, May 1, 2010. www.springforalexandria.org

The AMP needs volunteers to participate on our service team on Friday, April 30th from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The day of service is followed by a party at City Hall from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Mike Mackey, the City's Gang Prevention Coordinator, has agreed to captain an AMP team for Spring for Alexandria for the 3nd year in a row.

For those who were not aware, last year, the Alexandria United Way group teamed with a group from our Alexandria Mentoring Partnership and we had a lot of fun doing yardwork for the Salvation Army on Mt. Vernon Avenue. Our group put down their recruiting strategies, agenda sheets, pens and blackberries and picked up rakes, gloves and clippers - and no injuries occurred (I know, given this group, it was a little surprising).

You may also be aware that, because of our participation, we were awarded a free BOAT RIDE ON THE POTOMAC - we used this to recruit mentors. This is tied in with how much money we raise. No registration fee is required but a 50 dollar gift is suggested (feel free to get friends to sponsor you).

Thank you for making last year's event such a success, and I hope you will be able to lend a hand again this year with Community Service Day.

Join our team by following the steps below:

Go to http://springforalexandria.kintera.org

Click on the left blue circle "Register Here"

Click your life away by clicking on "I agree" after you read the fine print.

Click middle choice "Join a Team"

Click on Drop Down Menu and select "Alexandria Mentoring Partnership".

Click "Continue"

Follow the directions on the site (it asks you to create a password, etc.)- no registration fee is required, yet a suggested donation of $50 dollars is recommended. I elected to keep us outside to work - please select landscaping as a first choice and outdoor clean-up as a second choice).

Feel free to make your contribution - as importantly, you will be on the team!

We will join a separate team (of which I am the team leader - the Alex. United Way) again this year.

It promises to be a fun occasion.

Thanks everyone and please let me know if you have any questions.

First Monthly Mentor Social at Muphy's

2010-03-24T19:52:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, March 18th, a mix of mentors from across Alexandria came together for a late Happy Hour at Murphy's Irish Pub in Old Town. This marked the first of the monthly social events for Alexandria mentors.

These events will be hosted by the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership and are intended to further develop the connection between mentors who are working with youth in various programs throughout Alexandria. They will vary in design (not just Happy Hour), and we hope to have a strong interest. Therefore, we would like to have your input and ideas on how to best structure these in order to attract our dedicated volunteer mentors.

Please contribute your ideas by commenting on this post (your comments can be done anonymously if you wish). Or, you can email Karen Berry (coordinator for the AMP) directly at mentoring@alexandriava.gov.

Wright to Read volunteers sharing thoughts

2010-03-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

Wright to Read is a progam which promotes literacy through tutoring and mentoring of elementary school students. We are looking for volunteers to start tutoring this spring and continue into the summer and the next school year. This is a video of three of our volunteers sharing their thoughts about the program. See more about the program at www.wrighttoread.org.

Mentor Happy Hour at Murphy's: March 18th

2010-03-11T14:59:00.001-08:00

Dear Alexandria Mentors:

We are LUCKY to have you doing so much for the youth of Alexandria! Please join your fellow mentors to socialize and celebrate your work at the first-ever Alexandria Mentoring Partnership Happy Hour on March 18th, 7:30 p.m., @ Murphy's in Old Town Alexandria.

Click HERE to view Evite and to RSVP or contact Karen Berry at mentoring@alexandriava.gov

A sample of the iMovie experience

2010-03-11T14:40:00.000-08:00

Rayvonne and his mentor share their "adventures" as mentee/mentor in the iMovies program.

iMovie Mentors: Seeking male mentors immediately!

2010-03-11T14:37:00.000-08:00

The City of Alexandria’s Court Service Unit is seeking “a few good men” to serve as mentors pre-teen boys. No movie-making or mentoring experience is needed.

Male mentors are paired with youth in the iMovie Mentors program to produce a short movie. Individuals make a one-year commitment to the program and attend a weekly workshop with youth to establish a mentoring relationship, learn the fundamentals of filmmaking and help the boys acquire life and technological skills. The workshops include the use of Apple technology and lessons in producing digital video, storyboarding and film editing. Workshops are held on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. from April through November and include healthy meals and recreational sports activities. Movies debut at a community film festival at Old Town Theater, where boys arrive via stretch limousine.

The iMovie Mentors program, funded by a crime prevention grant from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, is part of the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership, a collaboration of mentoring programs throughout the City of Alexandria.

Attendance at orientation sessions and successful completion of a criminal background check are required for all mentors. To RSVP for the mentor orientation, e-mail linda.odell@alexandriava.gov

Visit www.alexandriava.gov/imoviementors to learn more about the program and to view movies created by boys and their mentors.

Community Event: How to Raise a Drug Free Kid (3/24)

2010-03-11T14:33:00.000-08:00

Come hear Joseph Califano, father of five and founder of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, talk about How To Raise a Drug Free Kid on Wednesday, March 24, 7:00pm, in the TC Williams Auditorium. Learn what you can do to teach, protect, and empower a child of any age to have the greatest chance of having a healthy, productive future. Book signing and sale ($10 or $5 - cash & check only). Sponsored by Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria and the Alexandria Community Services Board. Spread the word!

Untouchables Open House (3/18)

2010-03-11T11:15:00.000-08:00

After 21 years of successful mentoring, the Untouchables continues to help young men of color in the City of Alexandria to grow and develop into the professionals, leaders and family men of tomorrow. Come meet the members and the mentors and learn about this outstanding program this Thursday, March 18 from 7 - 9pm at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street in Alexandria.

Community members, services providers, prospective members (ages 8-18) and mentors welcome! Flyer for printing.

Space of Her Own on Fox 5!

2010-01-26T15:20:00.000-08:00

iMovies 2009 Film Premier

2009-12-16T13:54:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the third season of iMovie Mentors! More men are needed right away for this next season! Sign up today!

Higher Achievement

2009-12-15T12:05:00.000-08:00

Testimonials from SOHO: A Space of Her Own

2009-12-01T14:18:00.000-08:00

SOHO: A Space of Her Own changes girls' lives by placing them with a mentor for a year as they work together to design and create a dream bedroom (a "Space of Her Own") for each of the girls in the program. See the testimonials from this year's graduating class to see the difference a year can make.

Roxana, 2009 SOHO Graduate:

2009-12-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

“Whoa baby! Whoa Baby!” Were the first words I yelled when I saw my new room. What’s in the room you ask? A super cool new bunk bed, a totally awesome blue desk, a colorful lamp, and the best, most creative storage crate you’ve ever seen!

Every Thursday after school, I cleared my schedule for my favorite program – which is of course, SOHO. The memories and friendships I made while learning how to mix colors, how to design accessories for my room, and how to stay healthy are unforgettable. My memory book holds pictures of the tea party, the night the Sisters of Mercy came to talk about hygiene, and a funny picture with my mentor and family on family night.

But the memories don’t stop there. How could I forget the time when my mentor, Sheri had a pizza party for me and my friends on my birthday. Sheri made me wear a crown and brought my favorite – ice cream cake!

But the very best thing about SOHO was making friends… the kind that last a lifetime.

Photo caption: Roxana and her friends on her birthday.

Ashley, 2009 SOHO Graduate:

2009-12-01T14:10:00.000-08:00

My older sister Diamond was in SOHO last year. She said it was fun, and she was right. I got to go ice skating for me first time. I only fell once. We got to do cool art projects for our rooms. I got to pick all me colors my favorite project was the banner because I did it all by myself.
When it was time to do my room I got to help paint. I got all over my hands and feet, but it was fun. I was so surprised when I saw my room. There was so much more space and it was beautiful. My favorite part is the new bunk bed. I get to sleep on the top. I have all these new pillows and pretty sheets. Sometimes I sit in my new chair and pretend I’m in a fantasy world. My sister and I are so happy and excited in our new room.

The best part is that when I first came to SOHO I didn’t knew a lot of the girls but now I am friends with all of them!

Photo caption: Ashley and her mentor, Cynthia, in Ashley’s new room.

Taja and Ta’Janae, Sisters and 2009 SOHO Graduates:

2009-12-01T14:07:00.000-08:00

We liked SOHO because it is fun and you can learn lots of skills, like painting and sewing.We also learned about important parts of our body, how to eat healthy food, and proper etiquette.

Once you become close with your mentor and other SOHO sisters, you don’t want to let them go. We both hope to still come back at visit next year’s SOHO group.

SOHO helped me change for the better and grow more mature. It helped teach us responsibilities and how to take care of yourself.

We loved SOHO and are thankful for our new bedrooms because it helps sleep more soundly in our rooms. We are also thankful for SOHO because it keeps us focused on positive things rather than negatives.

Photo caption: Taja and her mentor, Page, at SOHO class; Ta’Janae and her mentor, Sam, posing for a “Glamour Shot” on Family Night

Ariel, 2009 SOHO Graduate:

2009-12-01T14:06:00.000-08:00

What SOHO did for me:

SOHO made my room look pretty;
I learned art and etiquette;
I met new friends;
I learned about nutrition, the human body, making wise choices and interacting positively with others;
I went ice skating and loved it (even though I fell a few times);
I went to a fancy Tea Party and practiced all of my etiquette skills.

I really, really, really like SOHO. I haven’t missed a SOHO meeting all year. Coming to SOHO on Thursdays is the highlight of my week. SOHO has been an awesome program and I really love my room.

Becky, Ariel’s Mentor:

What SOHO did for me:

SOHO introduced me to 14 wonderful 5^th grade girls and their equally wonderful mentors – a fun, smart, talented diverse group of women and girls that I will never forget;
One SOHO girl in particular, Ariel, has taught me to notice the small things in life- the brilliance of colors, the innocence of youth, and the wonder of our imaginations;
Thanks to SOHO staff and volunteers like Linda and Anne, I was reminded that through the collective efforts of many caring folks, a program like SOHO can exist and can make our community a better, safer and more hopeful place that is blind to race, color, income or age;
Thanks to out volunteer art teachers like Leslie, Kathleen and Malone – I learned many new art skills;
SOHO reminded me that, just like the SOHO girls, I was about their age, I too learned how to sew (although most of the SOHO girls are better at it then me);
I went ice skating and to a fancy tea party, but most importantly, I became part of a very special group. For two plus hours each Thursday night, my cell phone and blackberry were turned off, and all that mattered was the mentoring, bonding, fun and art projects taking place inside The Art League’s Annex in Alexandria.

I really, really, really like SOHO. Coming to SOHO on Thursdays has been highlight of my week.

Photo caption: Ariel and Becky working in SOHO art class on a crate for Ariel’s new bedroom.

Diana, 2009 SOHO Graduate:

2009-12-01T14:01:00.000-08:00

All the people at SOHO are really nice and very open. The art projects were really creative; my favorite was making the quilted pillows, and I loved learning to sew.

Jen, my mentor, is kind of like a big sister to me. I look up to her because she is strong, outgoing and just so bright to be around. My mom has been in the hospital for three months and having Jen to talk to has been like having a best friend. She is someone I really open up to. I can talk to her like I’ve known her for years.

Photo caption: Diana after seeing her new room for the first time!

Space of Her Own

2009-11-01T10:58:00.000-08:00

Wright to Read Tutors: Training Video on using the DIBELS assessment

2009-10-01T15:13:00.000-07:00