In the early years, with relatively few students, Jóvenes Adelante’s founders formed close relationships with scholarship recipients and provided personal support, guidance, and encouragement. In the spring of 2007, however, with anticipated new scholarship awards bringing the number of supported students to more than 40, the administration created a mentor program to provide students the kind of individual attention they would no longer be able to offer. A new board position (Vice President, Mentor Program) was filled by Pat Harding.

Potential mentors were solicited through Atención, San Miguel’s English language weekly, and more than 40 highly qualified people responded. Following a welcome/orientation, where many cultural and procedural issues were discussed, mentors were matched to scholarship recipients as closely as possible based on language ability and academic backgrounds. Meanwhile, a presentation about the new program was made to the students themselves. Nervous mentors were introduced to curious students at the September beca (scholarship) distribution meeting and the program was launched.

Mentors ideally meet with their student a minimum of once a month and prepare a brief report to Jóvenes Adelante officers on his or her situation, progress, and particular challenges. Attendance at a mentor orientation is required and encouraged at subsequent, bi-annual mentor meetings. Fluency in Spanish is not necessary, nor is full-time residence in San Miguel. Many successful relationships include mentors with little Spanish who are here only six months a year as well as students who study in cities far from San Miguel and not always available for a monthly get-together. Mentor and student stay in touch by e-mail and meet when they can.

The nature of relationships that have evolved are as varied as the individual participants. Many mentors and students have become quite close and get together more than once a month, especially if the mentor also does some tutoring. Other relationships are long distance, and a monthly e-mail or phone call and a report to program administrators is all that’s possible. Where possible these couples spend some time together when students are home for holidays and vacations.

The essence of the program is that the students know there is someone who maintains contact, cares how they are doing, and is a point person for communications to the Board when there is an issue that may adversely affect their university careers or if there is a particular reason to celebrate. It is not the responsibility of mentors to solve difficult problems on their own or provide their students money, transportation, meals, or gifts; in fact this is discouraged. Mentors also need to be sensitive to the student’s receptivity to friendship and assistance. Many are very busy with work and classes, and some are very shy or relatively mature and self-sufficient. Reactions and expectations of the relationship will be different in each case and mentors need to proceed slowly. Communications or meetings more than once a month may not be necessary or appropriate, and the mentor should not encourage them if it places a burden on the student.

For more information about the mentor program, or an application, contact Pat Harding at pat.bill@ix.netcom.com.

by Renée Devereaux

If somewhere in your innermost self exists a desire to share what you have learned with someone who deserves a helping hand, Jóvenes Adelante presents a wonderful opportunity.

Jóvenes Adelante grants university scholarships for talented disadvantaged Mexican students. Schooling in Mexico is not required beyond the sixth grade. Upon completion of their schooling, most pre-teens begin some type of manual labor to help provide for the family’s needs. Relatively few are able to enroll in higher education. Jóvenes Adelante has been able to assist many to further their education.

Along with this worthwhile program, the privilege of mentoring is provided for responsible adults who are willing and able. Mentoring is a way of giving the students unbiased support….someone who can befriend them and learn about their lives and concerns without judgment and who can help them navigate some of the complexities of university life.

With mentoring, one’s life can be enriched. Mine certainly has. In San Miguel, we have all experienced one type of miracle or another. I have experienced many. I will never forget the moment I met Salud Ramirez Moreno, the young woman who I have had the good fortune to mentor. The name on her name tag told me we would have a strong connection. My life and career have to do with health, and her name, Salud, is Spanish for health. It is a privilege to get to know someone so sincere in her desire to improve her life with higher education. She demands a great deal from herself. I feel that one of my roles is to help her balance her expectations with what is practical and realistic considering her many responsibilities.

Her mother and two younger sisters live at the rancho, Cruz del Palmar. Salud’s father has been in Texas for several years working as a gardener and landscape designer, sending money to his family on a regular basis. Salud had been living with her grandmother in San Miguel during the school week to shorten her travel time to the Universidad Tecnologica de Guanajuato at Dolores Hidalgo, where she studies business administration, returning home for the week-end and devoting her spare time to her small business. The enterprise, which she started at age 15, is selling women’s clothing, simply because she observed the inescapable desire of so many to buy “something new” and that going into town to shop was virtually impossible.

Due to her mother’s illness that developed right around Christmas, 2008, Salud has returned home full time so she can be close to her mother, thus lengthening her travel time to over three hours daily. Her mother’s health has improved considerably, but Salud will not even consider the remote possibility of moving back to San Miguel at this time.

It is easy to love and respect Salud because I see many parallels in her life and the girl I was. I too started my first business as a teenager and I remember how much I would have appreciated the encouragement and emotional support which I am now able to provide Salud. It is easy to want to help, in one way or another, those who have the drive and initiative to help themselves.

The students participating in the scholarship program are carefully screened. One of the criteria, besides high marks, is initiative—enthusiasm, a positive attitude, and a plan to succeed. It’s not difficult to see why Salud is a Jóvenes Adelante scholarship recipient, to applaud her selection, and want to give her lots of support.

The exposure to a rich and expanding culture is another reward to mentors that cannot be bought. In our seemingly shrinking planet, there is a need for greater understanding of the different cultures. Mentoring gives everyone an opportunity to grow, to learn acceptance and, therefore, to love and respect one another.

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