A Note From Our Staff

​Team Work Makes the Dream Work

Over the years of working at BEST Kids, I have always looked at everyone who is in the program as a team member. That includes mentees’ mentors, staff members, volunteers, board members, and advisory board members. When I estimate all of the people on our team we are about 185 individuals strong. 

Every person on this team plays a valuable role. Each of us is giving mentoring a chance. I believe that mentoring means supporting and encouraging people to manage their own learning in order to help them maximize their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be. I have seen so many great examples of mentoring in our program by our team and it has perpetuated my beliefs in mentoring. The mentors in our program provide hope to our mentees and reviewing the monthly reports mentors contribute gives me hope as well.  

Mentoring, at its core, guarantees young people that there is someone who cares about them, assures them they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges, and makes them feel like they matter. Research confirms that quality mentoring relationships have powerful positive effects on young people in a variety of personal, academic, and professional situations. Ultimately, mentoring connects a young person to personal growth and development, and social and economic opportunity. 

Mentors, as we continue to grow as a team I want to share these three tips that I hope will encourage you to keep being a great team member. 

1. Remember to always give your mentee the opportunity to voice their opinion about the choices that the two you come up with. 
2. Continue to work on the shared goals of your match and program.
3. Check in with your support staff. 

Thank you to all of the team members who help keep the program moving forward. 

​​Carl Scott
BEST Kids Staff
Program Manager