The Pennsylvania Mentor Program..The True Super Heros of Today!

Did you ever wonder who the Super Heroes of today's world are?  Sure, we have Entertainers that occasionally do really cool things for charity.  Or the Politicians that want us to believe that they do really cool things for people in the community...BUT there are still many people out there in need of assistance.  

As a Mom, I often consider what more I could do to help people in the Lehigh Valley.  Sure, I could deliver meals for the Lehigh County's Meals on Wheels or volunteer my time in a soup kitchen...

However, more recently I was introduced to the Pennsylvania MENTOR Program.  Just the title piqued my curiosity so I wanted to learn more about them and what they had to offer the people of the Lehigh Valley.

The mission of Pennsylvania MENTOR and The MENTOR Network is to offer adults, children, young people and their families innovative, quality services and supports that lead to growth and independence, regardless of the physical, intellectual or behavioral challenges they face.   Wow, that is a mouthful...but what does that mean?  In simple terms it means to "make a difference in some one's life" by becoming their Mentor.

OK, but what is a Mentor?  A Mentor is someone who opens their heart and their life to a foster child or someone with developmental disabilities.  Whether it is a helping hand, a home, or a family, a Mentor helps people to live their life to the fullest.

So who can be a Mentor?  Just about anyone. You don’t need to be a superhero, just a regular person who’s ready to help give someone a better life by sharing yours. It doesn’t matter if you’re a retiree looking for a way to continue contributing to society, a stay-at-home mom looking to earn money, or a working family with children of your own.  

Pennsylvania MENTOR's philosophy emphasizes partnerships – with those we serve, their families, our employees, Mentors and the communities in which we work – in an effort to help people shape the direction of their own lives in community-based settings.

There are two programs available:  The Therapeutic Foster Care Program and The Host Home for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. 

The Therapeutic Foster Care Program calls their foster parents "Mentors" because they do so much more than provide a home to a child in need.  Mentors help children grow and learn, forever changing their lives, creating an opportunity to bond.

The Host Home for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities has some similarities to adult foster care because an adult comes to live with you in your home—and yet is different because the adults we support have the same freedom of choice that all adults enjoy.

The MENTOR Network  is called a “network” for a reason—it’s not just one person or group. It’s a national network of people, in areas like the Lehigh Valley, across the country, who are joined by the common belief that positive, nurturing relationships are the basis for growth and change. And that these relationships are best fostered through active participation in the daily activities of neighborhood and family life.

The word that comes to mind when I re-read what I have written is "OPPORTUNITY".  Think of the people you can help, who would really appreciate your help.  And consider the reward...the feeling you will get at the end of the day to know you made a real difference.  Yes, help is definitely needed at the local soup kitchen, but consider the importance of becoming a MENTOR  The opportunity that will last a lifetime.

Isn't that what it is all about?

**For more information, please visit their Website or call them directly
at 877-619-7711.