Menu

Profiles in Mentoring

Mike & Landon 2019

PROFILES IN MENTORING: Mike Lanum

, , , ,

By Lona Davis

HERO is a huge word.  We hear the word often, but not nearly enough.  We are surrounded by heroes every day. They are easy to spot if you expand your view and observe those around you.

Mike Lanum is not only a hero for COACH Kids, but is one in his daily life.  A retired Fire Chief, he is married to Fran for 46 years. Their children and grandchildren are a great source of joy for them and you will often see them at Rossville sporting events cheering them on.  Mike recognizes the need for a listening ear, kind heart, and a huge smile. “A small amount of your time can make a big difference in a life.”

Mike has been a mentor for COACH Kids for over six years.  His reason for becoming a mentor was that he feels we all need a little hope and someone who cares. “I have always been a good listener, but now I am even better.  The impact to my life is that it puts a smile on my face. I enjoy knowing that I am trying to make a difference in a life, no matter how big or small.”

The Local Heroes Program of COACH Kids is our school-based program.  Referrals come through several different avenues. While children are mostly referred by a teacher or counselor, at times we are contacted by a concerned parent.  In March of 2018 we heard from a mom who had realized her son had need for a special friend in his life. When Mike became available for a new match at the start of the school year, all of our prayers were answered.  Landon needed a calming influence and he loves both firefighters and police officers. Mike certainly fit the bill!Landon’s mom, Stephanie O’Neal, says “My husband and I are forever grateful for Mike’s willingness to come into Landon’s life to be a positive influence! He’s such a kind and patient person, which for Landon, is exactly the kind of adult he needs.  Landon always speaks so highly of “his Mike.” Landon has said multiple times that when he grows up, he’s going to be a firefighter just like Mike”. Thank you for matching them together!”

You can be a hero, too! Contact the COACH Kids office and talk to Lona about how you can go into a school 30 minutes a week and change a kid’s world for the better! (765) 654-8812

Jo Ellen Clark

, , ,

Profiles in Mentoring By Bethany M. Sheets

Jo Ellen Clark
Fourteen years ago, Jo Ellen Clark knew that she wanted to give back to the community in some form of volunteering. She strongly believes “we are here to serve God by helping others.” Clark was thrilled to learn about the mentoring program in Clinton County, which at the time was known as Big Brothers Big Sisters, and has since evolved into the thriving COACH Kids of Clinton County program. Clark jumped in to volunteering by meeting her mentee for school lunch once a week, and has been mentoring with COACH Kids ever since.

Clark’s passion and enthusiasm for COACH Kids is infectious! She laughs, “my friends will tell you I’m obsessed with COACH Kids! I’m always searching for mentors and/or donations!” Her tone shifts as she shares, “There is such sadness in knowing we always have children on our waiting list who are just waiting for someone to care.” And for that reason, Clark fervently encourages others to become involved in the program. She quotes Winston Churchill, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”

Clark loves to talk about the benefits of mentoring with COACH Kids. “I like that we are in all of the Clinton County Schools, and all of our donations stay in Clinton County for our programs. We are helping the children in our community become responsible, caring adults. They have better social skills, higher grades, and happy smiles. How would these children have turned out without their special friend?”

Clark is currently mentoring Lizeth and shares that their friendship started seven years ago. “When I met her, at age 10, she was so shy and withdrawn,” Clark recalls. “I’ve watched her become a caring, responsible adult, who wants to go to college and help others. She’s making good grades and holding down a job too!” Clark is endlessly proud of Lizeth and says with confidence that their friendship has helped Lizeth gain confidence and strengthened her character. “I have no doubt that she will make us all so proud as she takes on the world,” Clark states with conviction. “Lizeth tells me that I have made a big impact on her life, but the credit goes to God for leading me to become a mentor.”

Becoming a mentor with COACH Kids is a 30-minute commitment once a week during lunchtime in the Local Heroes program, or 4-6 hours per month commitment in the Community Hope Program. Anyone interested can attend an informational meeting on Saturday, April 13th at 10:00 am or can contact the COACH Kids office directly.

“I am so very thankful for COACH kids,” Clark exudes, “and I consider it a blessing to be a part of it!”

Joyce Jacobs – Profiles in Mentoring

,

Joyce and Natalia at 2019's Thanksgiving Event
Joyce and Natalia at 2019’s Thanksgiving Event
Mentoring and community service are not new to Joyce Jacobs. In fact, she can’t remember when giving back wasn’t a part of her daily life. She’s been an informal mentor through the YMCA, the school system, the American Red Cross and church for many decades. You can ask her who her first mentee was and she recounts countless young men and women who she has nurtured and celebrated with her time through the years.<br/>
Joyce chose to become a COACH Kids mentor because she saw a big need in her community and she wanted to give back in any way she could. “It (mentoring) gives me purpose. I’ve worked with kiddos for several years and in all my years have never seen a greater need than now for mentoring the youth of our community.”
<br/>
Currently, Joyce is matched with Natalia and they have been together since Natalia was in 2nd grade. That’s 5 years! They started in the Local Heroes program, in the schools, and have grown together as Natalia has gone from a little girl to a middle schooler. Joyce has seen her grow so much physically, but also emotionally, in learning to trust and help others. They’ve baked cookies, done crafts, swam in Joyce’s backyard pool and walked dogs at the Humane Society. When a parent was lost in a car accident, Joyce was quietly there, functioning as a stable presence in a hard time. Sometimes mentoring is about going and doing, while the most important part is “being”.
<br/>
Joyce says that there are many benefits of mentoring through COACH Kids. “COACH Kids gives you several opportunities to meet with your mentee and to gather with other kids and adults.” Joyce and Natalia are always in attendance at COACH Kids events, participating and making every activity fun. “Natalia always asks, ‘what is our next activity with COACH Kids?’” COACH Kids events grow kids and relationships, participants look forward to seeing each other for connection and camaraderie. 
<br/>
When asked why someone should consider mentoring or donating to COACH Kids, she points out that “if each one helps one, maybe we can change their lives for the better. Mentoring in the schools, through Local Heroes, only takes one lunch hour a week, and that’s really not much when you consider the life of a child and the future of our community. Whether you mentor or donate, it all helps!”
<br/>
You can find out more about youth mentoring by contacting COACH Kids by phone (765) 654-8812, take a look at COACHkids.org or attend the next Orientation & Training session on Saturday, February 16th at 10am. In 30 minutes, you can learn about who COACH Kids is and the basics of mentoring in Clinton County. In 90 minutes, you can dig deeper into how these relationships change a child, a community and the world!

Kimberly Marshall – Profiles in Mentoring

,

Kim and Naomi together in 2013

Kim and Naomi together in 2013

Kim Marshall felt called to become a mentor when she learned there was a waiting list and it’s hard to believe that it was 8 years ago she was matched with Naomi. She says that her relationship with Naomi has impacted her own life by providing her with a priceless perspective and a deeper sense of purpose. Kim has worked in the schools, and currently works with Alan Price at Edward Jones, as well as being Mom to two busy kids and a wife to Josh. Those things have not stopped her from directly investing in the future of her community in a huge, positive way.

When asked if she believes that her time and energy is making an impact, Kim exclaims “Yes! When I tell her that she is loved and that she matters, she believes me now.” Kim has seen positive changes in her kid “in all directions” and those changes have come through loving Naomi unconditionally through every phase of that 8 years. It’s not always easy, but it’s well worth it. “You will be the one who gets blessed,” Kim promises.