Welcome
Become a Mentor
Become a Donor
Start a Program
Active Programs
The "Guide"
Frequently Asked Questions
Reviews
Students' Yarns
A Mentor's Story
Friends
Contact Us
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The "Guide" includes:
|Table of Contents
|Acknowledgements
|Forward
|History
|Benefits
|Getting Started
|Steps to Success
|Logistics
|Conclusion|
|Warm Up America|
|Appendix|
 Conclusion 
The thrill of helping children can be seen in all these faces.
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By Cora Smith
Participating as a mentor with Helping Hands is one of my favorite activities.
I wasn't expecting it to be so satisfying on so many levels. When I first met
Bonnie at a social function, she mentioned she was a knitter, and being one also,
we talked a bit about that and then she asked me if I'd like to join Helping Hands.
I immediately said, "Yes," since it sounded like fun.
I've done it for two 6-week courses now, and they were completely different. The
first one I had three exuberant kids, two boys and a girl, and we mostly laughed.
The second term I had two serious girls and we mostly knit. Both experiences were
a joy.
Some days, after battling traffic, fretting over problems and trying to reorganize
my schedule to get to the school on time, I would rush into the room, find my kids
and start to work with them on their projects. And then, looking around at the
peaceful scene of mentors with one or more children bent over their task and
quietly talking, I would suddenly slow down, take a deep breath and remember how
good life can be.
One of the best things about growing older is getting bored with your own stories
and wanting to hear others'. I found that quality to serve me well as a mentor. It
is a challenge to teach a child a skill without being overbearing, and I enjoyed
watching and listening, trying to make sure I don't "lose" them. One becomes aware
of how full of life they are, how vulnerable and trusting. Like every human, there
are hardships ahead for these children. You want to do something to ease their way,
even if it is just an hour a week of being with an adult they can count on, who is
mindful of their welfare. If they learn the needlearts and take it on as a lifetime
practice, so much the better.
To borrow a word from the Simpson's, I have found being a mentor for Helping Hands
to be an "embiggening" experience, and so will you.
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