Why I Mentor
Oklahomans in every corner of the state are volunteering time each week to make a difference in a child's life. The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has asked some of these mentors to share their experiences.
Michelle Diaz, a Customer Service Representative for the Social Security Administration, volunteers as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma. Diaz, who has a bachelor's desgree in psychology, is currently completing the graduate program in human relations at the University of Oklahoma in Norman.
Why is mentoring important to you?
Because children need an adult to look up to besides their family adults and close family adult friends. They need to have a relationship with someone who is only one generation above them and can still remember what it was like to be a teen or a kid. When we are still close enough to the age to remember, we as mentors know what kind of things to talk to our mentees about. We know what they like and we can have fun with them without being judgemental about their beliefs or actions. We understand that each generation is different from the next and that is why its important to get to know what kind of music is in, the sayings kids say, and to teach them what we like as well.
How or why did you become involved?
I became involved when I heard about it through OU and they were requesting volunteers. I thought, I would love to see what this is all about. I have always enjoyed volunteering.
How have you personally benefited from mentoring?
I have gained a relationship with someone ten years younger and she is truly a friend for life. I know we will be friends, even if we don't stay close, we will be friends for all of our lives. I really care about her and her goals in life and hope she does well in school.
Give an example of an activity you have shared with your mentee.
I recently took her school clothes shopping in Dallas. We had so much fun and went shopping all day!