Last week I finished my last day of mentoring kids. As I look back on it the six weeks working with kids were very satisfying and maybe I will reconsider working with these kids again next year. The kids were from the urban/African-American spectrum and were in the age group of 15-22. The program I was involved with which was called Bits was designed to teach work-ready skills to these youths so they could use these skills on their first day of a job. Also, the kids were being paid as well since technically this program is for most of these kids their first job. They would have to manage their time sheets, arrive on work on time, learn how to manage their payroll and such. Now there were many groups within the program that focused on things related to science since our program did revolve around an environmental approach and each group had specific mentors and students. My group was the mock trial team and I along with my other mentors helped guide 15 students to present a mock trial in the presence of faculty, parents and friends. Let me begin by stating that it was no easy task! Getting the kids to focus was a difficult and repetitive task. We would start the day with a fun activity and then lead to the so called “boring” or “important” stuff. Many of the kids were immature even though they were older than the other groups. I had one kid who sat in the back with his ipod and cell phone and didn’t participate at first in any of the activities we set. There was also a lot of racial slurs and inappropriate behavior that said in class. However, as the time to present the actual mock trial came closer the kids began to focus and being actively involved in the trial. On the day of the trial many of the kids were nervous and I was a little nervous as well for what would happen if the trial did not go well. When the trial finally began many of the kids took on the stage and performed their utterly best. I was impressed. The trial was a success and the audience certainly agreed as well with their thundering ovation. When it was time for everyone to leave the kids did not want to leave and felt that we grew as a family as well throughout the program. I must say that even though at many times they annoyed the hell out of me I still miss them and I know that in the near future they will take these skills they learned from the program to help them grow and succeed in their career.
