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Volunteer News april 2010

"Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction"
-- John C. Crosby; Judge & Politician

Mentor Thoughts

Spring is in the air

The beautiful weather of late has had me thinking, “How can we incorporate spring themes into our mentorship group?” Well, I kept coming up with painting flower pots (which our group did last week) and wearing pastel sweater-vests (which I always do). So I decided to search for good spring art projects. Read what I came up with.

Ask the facility staff if you can take the kids outside. Depending on the facility, this may be a fun change of pace for your group and a good way to get some fresh spring air while creating art.

Do a project inspired by Earth Day. This site has some good ideas for doing projects that incorporate recycling. If that makes you crave more Earth Day projects, here is another site.

Go fly a kite. Here is a link to a number of kite projects that the kids could create one week and fly the next.

Get crafty. Here are 30 spring craft ideas from the folks over at Disney.

Go make some art and enjoy the great Minnesota rain and sunshine.

Jim Moen
VISTA Volunteer Coordinator

Our Community

Come celebrate a great year of weekly mentorship like a true midwesterner. Watch your email next week for an Evite with more details about the event and RSVP info!

Mentor Workshop Series

Common Threads

WHERE: Trylon Microcinema (Map)
WHEN: Sat. May 22, 4 - 6 pm

Join us for a free viewing of "Common Threads: Stories of Life After Trauma" at the Trylon Cinema on Sat. May 22. The film follows two victims of child abuse on the path to healing. Amber Ward, the film's director, will answer questions after the film. Space is limited, email Jim to RSVP.

project: window to the world

Window to the World

Thanks to Weekly Mentor Dyan Westman, Accent Arts donated plexiglass and multi-colored Sharpies for Weekly Mentorship. Pick up the materials at our office and have your group create sun-catchers inspired by the question: "What does the world look like from your window?" The plexiglass comes in all different shapes and sizes, get the materials early for the best selection.

Each youth will make two pieces, (if they choose to) one to keep and one to give back to Free Arts. Accent Arts will display and sell the pieces we receive at the Aquatennial as a fundraiser this summer.

Excited about the project? Email Jim to set up a time to pick up the materials at the Free Arts office Monday - Friday between 9am and 5pm.