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JULY 2003

Summer at Mentoring USA
by Matilda Raffa Cuomo and William Baker

Summer is here, so it’s time to take a break? Not really! At Mentoring USA (MUSA), we see summer as a perfect time to strengthen some of the connections that the mentors and mentees have established during the school year, while working on establishing new agendas. No matter how old you are, summer is a time to escape from your routine and delve into the world around you. Although many of our programs close for the summer, the city around us is anything but closed, and mentors meet with their mentees in the community to take in a ball game, visit a museum or read a book.

To support the great interest in meeting during the summer, MUSA has developed a packet of over 200 activities for the summer months. The events are fun, culturally diverse and inexpensive or free, spanning all five boroughs. From parades to festivals, museums to free concerts, mentors and mentees are encouraged to spend some unstructured time together during the summer vacation. That time is invaluable to their relationship; it will forge new paths for them that they can continue to follow in the next school year.

For example, I know of one mentor that will be working over the summer to help his mentee pass the citywide exam, so that he will be able to move on to 7th grade next year. This new collaboration will afford them a new opportunity to bond even more.

Another benefit of summer outings is that the coordination is done through the parents. It is crucial for mentors and parents to feel connected to one another. By working together the mentors and parents can strategize about how best to support the child. One caring adult is great, two caring adults working together is better.

In addition to the many activity packets, MUSA also distributes free tickets to sporting events like Mets and Metrostars games and facilitates communication between parents and mentors. We just held our Third Annual End of the Year Picnic; what a great way to celebrate! Everyone painted bandannas, ate tacos, hula hooped and danced at the Skyrink Terrace high above the city.

During the summer we hope that our mentors have an enjoyable vacation with a chance to relax. It is vital for mentors and people in supportive roles to take care of themselves. MUSA provides them with an opportunity to share wonderful experiences and spend unstructured, fun time with their mentees this summer.#

Matilda Raffa Cuomo is the Founder and Chair of MUSA. William Baker is the Program Manager of MUSA.

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