Summer at Mentoring USA
by Matilda Raffa Cuomo and William Baker
Summer is here, so it’s time
to take a break? Not really! At Mentoring USA (MUSA), we
see summer as a perfect time to strengthen some of the connections
that the mentors and mentees have established during the
school year, while working on establishing new agendas. No
matter how old you are, summer is a time to escape from your
routine and delve into the world around you. Although many
of our programs close for the summer, the city around us
is anything but closed, and mentors meet with their mentees
in the community to take in a ball game, visit a museum or
read a book.
To support the great interest in meeting during the summer,
MUSA has developed a packet of over 200 activities for the
summer months. The events are fun, culturally diverse and inexpensive
or free, spanning all five boroughs. From parades to festivals,
museums to free concerts, mentors and mentees are encouraged
to spend some unstructured time together during the summer
vacation. That time is invaluable to their relationship; it
will forge new paths for them that they can continue to follow
in the next school year.
For example, I know of one mentor that will be working over
the summer to help his mentee pass the citywide exam, so that
he will be able to move on to 7th grade next year. This new
collaboration will afford them a new opportunity to bond even
more.
Another benefit of summer outings is that the coordination
is done through the parents. It is crucial for mentors and
parents to feel connected to one another. By working together
the mentors and parents can strategize about how best to support
the child. One caring adult is great, two caring adults working
together is better.
In addition to the many activity packets, MUSA also distributes
free tickets to sporting events like Mets and Metrostars games
and facilitates communication between parents and mentors.
We just held our Third Annual End of the Year Picnic; what
a great way to celebrate! Everyone painted bandannas, ate tacos,
hula hooped and danced at the Skyrink Terrace high above the
city.
During the summer we hope that our mentors have an enjoyable
vacation with a chance to relax. It is vital for mentors and
people in supportive roles to take care of themselves. MUSA
provides them with an opportunity to share wonderful experiences
and spend unstructured, fun time with their mentees this summer.#
Matilda Raffa Cuomo is the Founder and Chair of MUSA. William
Baker is the Program Manager of MUSA.
