|
Our Mission:
Mobius is dedicated to developing a culture of mentoring in our communities.
| | |
Mobius Board of Directors: William West
Board President Theresa Alberghini DiPalma Andre Bouffard Julie G. Cole C. Minot Dole Arline Duffy Scott Jaunich Toby Knox Michael Loner Sascha Mayer Helen Riehle Jami L. Rivers William Romond Dan Smith Larry Williams |
l
|
A Special Thanks to all of our Mobius Card sponsors: Aikido of the Champlain Valley American Flatbread Bead Crazy Ben and Jerry's Bike Recycle Boloco Bolton Valley Ski Resort Boutilier's Art Center Burlington Bagel Bakery Burlington City Arts Clay Studio Cairns Arena Champlain College Theater Chubby Muffin Cynthea's Spa ECHO/Leahy Science Center Essex Outlets Cinema Fleming Museum Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center Leddy Skating Arena Local Motion Miguel's on Main My Little Cupcake Palace 9 Cinema Penny Cluse Cafe Petra Cliffs Pizza Putt Rocky's Pizza (Williston) Shelburne Farms Shelburne Arts Center The Skinny Pancake Smugglers' Notch Ski Resort Sneakers Bistro Spare Time Colchester Sports and Fitness Edge St. Michael's Playhouse St. Michael's Student Theatre Talent Skateboard UVM Athletics UVM Royall Tyler Theater Waterfront Video Winooski Falls Market and Deli Zachary's Pizza | | |
 Become a Mentor! Are you interested in becoming a mentor in Chittenden County? By volunteering one hour of fun a week, you could make a difference in a child's life! Please contact Marissa today: marissa@mobiusmentors.org |
|
|
Network with Mobius!
|
Become a fan on 
Follow @MobiusMentors on
 |
|
|
Positive Energy
Positive energy. That was the undeniable theme of September. I heard it used to describe the feeling of the annual Mentor Appreciation event that drew more than 70 people to Shelburne Farms to enjoy the view, each other, and their collective accomplishments. I heard it used to describe our record breaking mentor recruitment numbers for the month and our packed mentor training session. I heard it used to describe the annual Mobius board retreat, where fifteen members of the Mobius board hammered out a dynamic new strategic plan. 
There is definitely a buzz of positive energy around mentoring this month, and we are thrilled to be part of it. At the same time, we can't rest on our accomplishments as long as there are children waiting for mentors. And of course there are. As you enjoy reading Sheila Fazackerly's profile below, you will notice that she ends saying that her "mentee's nine-year-old brother is sad that he doesn't have a mentor." Let's all put some of the positive energy we all feel into finding more mentors and have a record breaking October! We look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Andrea L. Torello, Executive Director of Mobius
(Photo of Mike Glod, Development Director of Mobius, and Andrea Torello at the Appreciation Night for Mentors and Supporters of Mentoring.)
|
| |
|
Appreciation Night For Mentors and Supporters of Mentoring (September 21)
|
| |
On Wednesday, September 21, Mobius hosted its Second Annual Appreciation Night for Mentors and Supporters of Mentoring on the North Porch of the Inn at Shelburne Farms. The event was a celebration of the good work that mentors and supporters do for the local mentoring community.
"As I stood on the North Porch at the Inn, I was struck by the incredible beauty, but even more by the power of the positive energy that filled the space. Knowing that this group of vibrant people were examples of the hundreds of mentors who have chosen to bring that positive energy and caring to kids who so need it in their lives really moved and inspired me!"
-Dee Johnson, Program Coordinator of Spectrum Mentoring
Thank you for all you do to support mentoring! For more information about this event, please visit our Appreciation Night blog post.
|
|
|
|
Name: Sheila Fazackerly
Program: HowardCenter's Community Friends Mentoring
Town: Charlotte
Place of Employment:
Champlain Valley Union High School (para-educator)
Age of Mentee: 11
Referred by Mobius in:
September 2010
5
Favorite Activities: "Art projects, going to the movies, bowling, ice skating...my mentee and I also enjoy visiting my home in East Charlotte, where she can play my piano, and we can take the dogs on walks down to the covered bridge. We love trying new activities with the Mobius Card, and really enjoy being around other mentors and mentees at group events like the Community Friends Apple Picking Day (pictured above)."
Favorite Things About Mentoring: "I enjoy being able to use my time to make a difference in my mentee's life. We get to do a lot of 'kid things' together, which is nice because I am young at heart. I work with teenagers all week, so it's fun to be able to step back in time. My mentee is so enthusiastic about spending time with me, too. Every single time I take her somewhere, she tells me it's her 'favorite place.' We're making charm bracelets together, and we're going to get new charms for every year that we're together!"
Sheila says her mentee's nine-year old brother is sad because he doesn't have a mentor. "He really wants someone to hang out with him, and doesn't want to be alone. I would urge anyone who wants to make a difference to give mentoring a try! It's really rewarding to be able to be there for a kid who doesn't have the same opportunities as some of his/her peers."
|
|
|
|
 September Mentor Training at Heritage Aviation in South Burlington  Additionally, the start of two new school-based mentoring programs in Essex and South Burlington has increased the need for more mentors. The return of the Just for Boys Program at the King Street Center also means there is an urgent need for more male mentors. There are still so many children in need of another caring adult friend in their lives!
You or someone you know could be the friend a young person is waiting for! To learn more about becoming a mentor, contact Marissa Wilkens.
|
| |
A New Mentor Dives Right In!
|
| |
|
Barry Finkelstein dove right in to mentoring. He and his wife relocated to Burlington recently, and mentoring offers him an opportunity to get involved in his new community. A consultant for non-profits, who travels the country offering expert guidance in strategic planning and development, he was asked to facilitate the Mobius Board Retreat.
In a matter of days Barry: 1. helped plan the board retreat 2. met with Marissa about becoming a mentor 3. attended the new Mentor Training 4. facilitated the Mobius Board retreat, resulting in a new strategic plan 5. attended the mentor appreciation event at Shelburne Farms 6. was referred to the King Street Center's Each One Reach One program Barry says the board retreat went really well. "I was impressed with the energy in the room, and with the level of participation; everyone felt comfortable sharing their ideas and people really listened to one another -- not always easy in such a large group." With great energy in the room, and a great facilitator, the board came away with a bold new strategic plan that focuses on program support. And Mobius came away with an enthusiastic new mentor in Barry Finkelstein. "I'm excited to have found Mobius and to have a chance to work with all of you. I'm so impressed by your commitment to the mentoring movement, and am also glad to see you all having fun doing what you do!" If Barry Finkelstein can fit mentoring into his busy schedule, can you?
To learn more about Barry and the Mobius Board Retreat, visit our blog post. To learn more about becoming a mentor, contact Marissa Wilkens. |
| |
Mobius Mentor Support Series: "Ask Us Who We Are" Screening and Discussion (September 13)
|
| |
|
On September 13, Mobius invited mentors to gather for a screening of "Ask Us Who We Are," a documentary on foster care in Vermont, as part of our Mentor Support Series. The film, produced and directed by Vermont's own Bess O'Brien, was followed by a discussion facilitated by O'Brien, former foster child Jessica Edwards, and current foster parent Robin Roberge.
Because many children in mentoring programs live in foster care, or live with relatives other than a parent, the film offers valuable insight for mentors.
"I found the movie really enlightening because it highlighted how difficult life is for children in foster care. It reminded me how important it is for young people to have a steady adult who believes in them and is there for them in their lives. As a program coordinator, it reaffirmed my belief in the importance of mentoring," said Gabriella Tufo Strouse, Mentoring Program Coordinator for the King Street Center.
For more information on the screening, visit our blog post.
The next Mentor Support Series program will be held on December 6.
|
| |
|
Activities For Mentor Pairs
|
| |
Mobius is proud to announce the launch of our new Activities for Mentor Pairs page on the Mobius website! It offers budget friendly ideas to mentor pairs looking for things to do in the Greater Burlington area. With both this list, and the Mentor Discount Card, there is so much a mentor pair can do! Visit the Activities for Mentor Pairs Page today, get inspired, and get mentoring! To learn more about becoming a mentor for a young person in your community, please contact Mobius Recruitment Director Marissa Wilkens.
|
|
|
|
2011-2012 Mobius Mentor Discount Card
|
| |
|
Mobius is grateful for the generous support of the 42 sponsors of the 2011-2012 Mentor Discount Card!
Shelburne Art Center is offering free space for mentor pairs in its Saturday drop-in classes, which take place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
October classes:
1st: Halloween Cat & Rat Silhouettes
8th: Miniature Goblins 15th: Spooky Skulls
22nd: Adorable Ghost Candy Dishes
29th: Little Clay Houses with Red Doors
Leddy Arena is providing mentors and their mentees a great discount on skating--$3 for mentees and $4 for mentors, and both skate time and rentals are included!
Aikido of Champlain Valley is offering weekly free drop-in classes for mentor pairs!
For kids (7-12): Saturdays at 9:45 a.m.
For teenagers: Fridays at 4 p.m.
The Sports and Fitness Edge is offering $5
guest passes to mentors and mentees at all 5 of its Chittenden County locations! Click Here to download a waiver form for your mentee to have signed by his/her parents.
Throughout the year, Mobius partners with local businesses and organizations to offer discounted prices on activities for approximately 500 community-based mentor pairs in Chittenden County.
For more information about this year's discounts and our sponsors, please visit the Mobius Card web page.
|
| |
 for helping us feed mentors! Leonardo's is offering us a discounted price on pizzas for our monthly New Mentor Trainings, and Mentor Support Series programs.
|
| |
|
Welcome to Mobius, Jessica!
|
| |
|
Please join Mobius in welcoming Jessica Avison, AmeriCorps *VISTA member, to our staff. A new and excited advocate for mentoring, Jess comes to us from UVM with a background in graphic design, community organizing, and communication with a focus on sustainability. She is driven to raise awareness on the importance of mentoring in our community, and will be assisting in PR and marketing. She brings with her a wealth of talent and enthusiasm, and we are very pleased to have her on the team.
'Think globally, act locally' is an important cornerstone idea that guides her actions and ambitions. Jess says, "For me, it all comes back to community, and supporting those people around us who do great things. With Mobius and all the programs they partner with, it is easy to see and feel the positive energy around mentoring. I am so proud to work with such a strong movement, and am excited to see it grow and transform in the coming years."
|
| |
|
Mobius would like to offer heartfelt congratulations to the DREAM Program, which was awarded a $10,000 Catalyst Grant from IBM to develop a new Camp DREAM program based in environmental education. The program will be centered on DREAM's 50-acre parcel located on the Metcalf Pond in Fletcher, VT, and will focus to develop a "hands on" approach to teaching students about water quality and the importance of watersheds.
DREAM is a statewide youth-based Village Mentoring organization, which has programs in Chittenden County run by students at Champlain College, The University of Vermont, and St. Michaels College. Its mission is to build communities of families and college students that empower children from affordable housing neighborhoods to recognize their options, make informed decisions, and achieve their dreams. For more info on DREAM and their IBM grant, visit their website.
|
| |
|
Mentor Follow-Up Training & Discussion
Welcome Back, Mentors! 
Tuesday, October 4
5:30-8:00 pm at Heritage Aviation
"Click Here" to RSVP
Come mingle and share experiences with fellow Chittenden County
mentors and Mobius Director of Recruitment Marissa Wilkens!
New Mentor Training
Wednesday, October 12
5:30-8:00 pm at Heritage Aviation
Click Here to Register
Events From Our Partners:
HowardCenter's Community Friends Mentoring
Mentor Pair Halloween Dance
Thursday, October 27
5:30-7:30 pm at The Baird School
FREE for pairs, potluck dinner;
please bring a dish to share.
LIVE DJ for your entertainment; costumes optional!
RSVP to Kayla Schutte by Friday, October 21st
2nd Northeast Regional Mentoring Conference
October 13 and 14
Framingham, MA
For more information and to register, visit the Mass Mentoring website!
Interested in coordinating travel plans to the conference with other members of the local mentoring community? Please contact Linnea Harben.
For more information about upcoming events, please email Marissa, or visit our online Calendar of Events.
|
| |
|
Join the Local Mentoring Movement Today!
| Mobius
20 Winooski Falls Way, Suite 105
Winooski, VT 05404
(802)-658-1888
info@mobiusmentors.org
www.mobiusmentors.org
Finding Mentors. Changing Lives.
|
|
|
|
|
