Story Planet

As part of the Story Planet model, mentoring is key.  Artists, writers, volunteers are all providing their time and energy mentoring young people.  But it struck me that we don’t know enough about the effects of mentoring, actually, more than that, we sort of just assume its all good.  And, for the most part, I think it is, but I’ve been reading about Jean Rhodes work, she’s at UMass, and its clear that like many things, its less about what the practice is and more about how you do it.  Check this part of Jean’s artlicle, Youth Mentoring in Persepective”,

“…a survey of more than 700 mentoring programs found that 36% of volunteers received less than two hours of training and 22% received none at all. Similarly, 20% of volunteers “almost never” talk to staff people in their programs and 9% have no contact with staff at all.”

With huge differences in how organizations train mentors, the findings in terms of effectiveness of mentoring are lacking,

“…a recent meta-analysis of evaluations of mentoring programs, the study by DuBois, et al. (in press) found the effects of mentoring programs to be relatively small, particularly when compared to other interpersonal interventions designed to improve youth outcomes”

Food for thought for Story Planet for sure -  simply having mentors and volunteers is not enough, we need to invest time and structured training so the impact they have on the kids emotional, social and academic well being is far reaching and profound.  In turn, that’s going to be way more satisfying for those committing time to help our kids.

Rhodes, J. (2001) ‘Youth Mentoring in Perspective’, The Center Summer. Republished in the encylopedia of informal education,
www.infed.org/learningmentorsyouth_mentoring_in_perspective.htm.

The Center is Publication of the Center for 4-H Youth Development at the University of Minnesota. Issues of the journal can be accessed via:

http://www.fourh.umn.edu/educators/research/center/

Jean E. Rhodes is Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She has published a number of books including Stand By Me. The risks and rewards of mentoring today’s youth, Cambridge, MA.: Harvard University Press.

This article has been reprinted here with the kind permission of Jean E. Rhodes and Center for 4-H Youth Development at the University of Minnesota.

© Jean E. Rhodes 2001

Well, we found a building…but it wasn’t the right one, at least that’s how I’m interpreting it ’cause we didn’t get it!  Still it certainly got us closer to the reality of having a place to call our own.  And gave us good practice for the real thing!  And it was exciting and not as scary as you’d think!  So the search continues….

I recently came across Michele Cassou: ”Michele is known internationally for her groundbreaking work in stimulating the creative potential, dissolving creative blocks and exploring the spiritual dimensions of the creative process”  If you watch her on youtube you’ll see why I got excited!  She has such a passion and amazing energy, and has created a wonderful approach for kids!  Check out the way she’s designed the painting room – this would be a brilliant addition to the Story Planet Hub for both kids and adults!  Here’s her website for more info too www.michelecassou.com

The fantastic exhibition at Harbourfront opened yesterday (April 9th) and will be on for 10 weeks,  You’ve got to get down to see it!  Nine different communities that conjured up some creative magic when kids, artists and writers got together.  Think of it as the Chemistry of Art.  Kudos to Harbourfront and  Fresh Ground new works, its  national commissioning programme, for supporting truly innovative ventures in art!