Tag: Be The Difference

“We all need someone who inspires us to do better than we know how.” 

Why am I so passionate about mentoring? 

It’s a new month…and it’s not just any ol’ month—it’s May! At Family Care Network, May is one of our favorite months. Why? Because every day in May (all 31 one of ‘em) we get to two celebrate two important National Awareness Campaigns—National Foster Care and National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. You may think that these two campaigns really have very little to do with each other. But guess what? You’d be wrong. Because this May, FCNI is hosting its 12th Annual Miracle Miles for Kids 10K Walk/Run.

For me, all that is worthy in the world begins with families who function holistically—loving families who raise healthy children. In contrast, all that is awry in the world begins with families who lack the skills or resources to find wellness and struggle to meet each other’s needs, especially the needs of their children. Through my journey, I found Social Work to be the most effective and meaningful path by which I could support and empower at-risk and high-needs families; it is the role that is most authentic to who I am and what I value.

When I was asked to write a blog [this being my first one ever] about why I work for the Family Care Network and try to “be the difference,” I was apprehensive, because the reason is very personal for me.  It is something I have shared with very few people.  Most of the people I work closely with at Family Care Network don’t know the reason for my commitment to this agency.  Up until right now, I have chosen to share my story only with my closest friends and family.  I guess I have been afraid of being judged; hopefully a very unrealistic fear.  So, here’s my sto

I became a mentor after bonding with a young man that I had tutored. We hit it off very well, and neither of us wanted our relationship to end when the tutoring did.  I wanted Paul* to know that I cared about him, and not just because I wanted him to do well in school, but because we had started to build a relationship that I really enjoyed.

Imagine if you will, how wonderful it would be to have the skills to improve a child or youth’s health, reduce obesity, improve academic performance and stabilize school behavior, improve self-confidence, build resiliency, reduce risk factors for engaging in violent or criminal behavior, improve future hopefulness and goal setting, build leadership skills and substantially improve their potential for success and achievement. Sound challenging? It’s not. Become a Mentor!

As the Christmas holiday is less than 24 hours away, we here at FCNI are reflecting on all the ways our amazing Central Coast community gives towards our efforts throughout the year. One of the most vital ways that you give throughout the year is with your time—probably the most precious commodity we each possess.

Sponsor a Child Season is upon us! And thanks to the generosity of our community, we are able to successfully fulfill specific holiday wishes for the children, youth, and families in our care year after year. This year, more than 800 wish requests have been submitted from our children, youth and families!