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.
Kenny and Tara Koetter, business owners in Norman, have three children ages 27, 25 and 6. They have been a Big Couple to a Little Brother named Andrew for more than five years.
Why is mentoring important to you?
Mentoring is important to me because of my experience, having been mentored myself as a child. I know first hand that the personal attention and interest a mentor offers can have a lasting impact in the life of a child.
How or why did you become involved?
Like most young people, I really wanted to make a diffrence in the world but did not have a clue as to how I could do that! My husband always wanted to be involved in Big Brothers/ Big Sisters and so we inquired about becoming a "Big Couple". When we started spending time with our Little Brother Andrew five years ago, we watched him start to open up. He began to have more self confidence and started being able to see himself as a special person with unique talents and gifts. Something inside me clicked and I realized I was making a big difference in the world by making a difference for this one child.
How have you personally benefited from mentoring? Give an example of an activity you have shared with your mentee.
I cannot even begin to describe the personal benefits our family has received as a result of spending time with Andrew. We have gone on train trips to Ardmore and Ft. Worth, we attend family activities at our church, but the most frequent and important thing we do together is just hang around the house and spend time together. Our six-year-old daughter Andie adores Andrew, and he loves to teach her things. He mentors her!
Our 25-year-old daughter and her husband recently became a Big Couple to a Little Brother. What a reward to know that now they will be so enriched while changing the life of another young person.
Mentoring has changed my life...twice. First by being mentored, then by being a mentor.