A Mentoring Program has been established through the Lassen County Alcohol and Drug Department Promises Perinatal Program. The Mentoring Project started in June 2007. Shirley Foltz, Perinatal Childcare Specialist is the program coordinator under the direction of Lyle Dornan and Anita Harsh of Lassen County Alcohol and Drug Department. Tilliie Baker and Ruth Jordan from the Promises Program are assisting in the program.

The purpose and scope of the Mentoring Program is to give support, guidance and friendship to the women in the Promises Perinatal group who are currently working the Alcohol and Drug Recovery Program.

A Promises Mentor is someone who has graduated from the program and is returning to give help and encouragement to other women who are just starting out on their road to recovery. The mentor will lead by example, be a good role model and donate her time and energy to new clients in the program. A mentor is ready and willing to listen, support and guide others to achieve their goals hopes and dreams while staying clean and sober – without using drugs, alcohol or other substances to get through life; to show them by example how recovery has worked in their lives.

A mentor is part of a team: Caring women in recovery who will develop positive relationships within the Mentoring Circle. Currently there are four mentors in the program. Through sharing fun activities, learning new experiences and teaching various skills a mentor can encourage positive choices and promote high self esteem among the circle. The mentor teaches and upholds the recovery process and demonstrates a clean and sober lifestyle.

Group activities are planned and scheduled monthly. During each activity the mentors have individual roles depending on the clients but all mentors have one main objective: They care about helping the clients in alcohol and drug recovery achieve their potential, discover their strengths and values and achieve their own personal goals. Through their own life experiences the mentors can assist clients and their children in the various group activities. In spending quality and productive time with their children in positive and rewarding ways, mentors show mothers how to stay motivated and focused on their program. Mentors are responsible and encouraged to meet with clients on their own time – on an individual basis to set up and contact them regularly on a personal needs and time schedule.

The coordinator meets with the mentoring team at the Promises office on a regular basis and also contacts each individual mentor through phone calls and correspondence. We feel that this program has been both rewarding and successful for everyone involved. The activities have been instrumental in promoting social growth and interaction as well as building trust and friendships in the community.
 

SUCCESSFUL ACTIVITIES INCLUDED:

            Scrap booking memories from mentoring activities – August
            Field trip to Lassen County Fair – July
            Field trip to Burney Falls and Lake Britton – June
            Field trip to Reno, Rancho San Rafael Adventure Park – June
 

FUTURE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:           

            Making Salsa – September
            Field trip to Pumpkin Patch – October
            Thanksgiving pie baking – November
            Christmas tree cutting and crafts – December