Mentors DO Matter
"I know there is a better life
out there," said Stephanie Albritton, a polite, outgoing 15-year-old high
school sophomore who lives in Holdingford, Minn. She knows that because
she's been through a lot in her life, but she's come a long way too.
In and out of foster care
since she was six years old, Stephanie grew up without developing any
healthy relationships in her life. It resulted in a host of problems, but
three years ago she was adopted into a family in Holdingford, and her
progress has been steady ever since. To help her continued development,
Stephanie now participates in an LSS mentorship program called the Youth
Empowerment Program in St. Cloud, Minn.
"Stephanie has made tremendous
progress," said Janet DeZeller, a St. Cloud State marriage and family
counseling student who mentors Stephanie four hours each week. "The
boundary issues Stephanie had are no longer there. Her communication
skills have really improved - she no longer uses the silent treatment with
people when she's angry. She's also doing better in school and making
better choices about the people she's associating with."
That's great news for someone
who, up until a few years ago, was making bad choices with boys, and had
trouble controlling her anger. Stephanie is moving forward though.
"In the end, I regret it. I'd
take them back if I could," she said about her past choices. "I still get
in trouble, but now it's not about drugs or the law, it's just about being
a teenager," she said with a smile.
Janet has been mentoring
Stephanie since May of this year, and says that Stephanie has already
outgrown her treatment plan, which outlines goals related to social skills
and behavior that Stephanie needed to work on. Janet and Stephanie will
meet with Stephanie's psychologist soon to outline a new treatment plan
that takes her progress into account. Janet will mentor Stephanie for at
least one year.
"Lots of the youth in the
program have never had a chance to develop healthy relationships, and they
can do that with their mentors. Developing trust for others is very hard
for some of these kids," Janet said.
There are many more kids who
need mentors than there are mentors. Stephanie is making the most of
relationship that Youth Empowerment has provided.
"Some people didn't think I
would make it this far, but I'm here"
