EVANSTON — Uinta County Business Leadership Network’s (UCBLN) representative Anna Kunz shared the impact and benefits to mentoring at the monthly Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday, Aug. 10.

Highlighting the UCBLN’s MentorAbility Program, Kunz emphasized the program goals and benefits to both mentors and mentees.

“MentorABILITY was established to provide mentor role models (long-term) to youth,” she said. “These youth are considered at-risk — those in the juvenile system or have a disability.”

According to Kunz, the definition of disability is quite broad, encompassing various anxieties and learning challenges to severe disabilities. At-risk youth are those who have one or more family members in the judicial system or are in the system themselves.

Youth participating in the mentoring program are between 11 and 17 years of age and have worked with UCBLN to set program goals.

“Some of our student goals may be to be more social or learn how to speak in a group,” said Kunz. “Others may want to learn a specific skill.”

Mentors, who are asked to commit to one year of service, help the youth reach their goals through active weekly communication and a minimum of one face-to-face activity per month.

“The impact is truly immeasurable,” said Kunz. “The need is everywhere, not just in urban areas but in our community too.”

The MentorABILITY currently program has two youth/mentor matches in Evanston, but UCBLN plans to roll out the program in Lyman and Bridger Valley as well.

Kunz said youth benefits include increased high school graduation rates, lower dropout rates, healthier relationships and lifestyle choices, enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence, improved behavior in school and at home, stronger interpersonal skills and relationships and decreased likelihood of initiating drug and alcohol use.

“As you can see, it makes a huge difference on our youth,” said Kunz, “and the benefits to mentors are great, too.”

Kunz said mentors benefit from an improved sense of health and well-being,
enhanced self-image and self-worth, feeling valued and appreciated, a sense of spiritual fulfillment, feeling competent and accomplished, feeling the satisfaction of giving back to the community, feeling needed and respected by others and gaining a deeper understand of one’s own childhood experiences.

The organization does everything possible to ensure a positive match between the mentor and youth so that all parties can achieve success in the program.UCBLN provides education, information and support to help mentors build trusting relationships with the matched youth.

Each potential mentor completes an application, submits a background check, commits to four to six hours of time per month, has weekly contact with youth, commits to a one-year mentorship and completes a mentor training class.

Once the training and background check are complete, mentors are matched with a youth. During an initial visit with potential matches, both youth and mentors answer a personal questionnaire to see if the match is a good one.

“We have the first meetings at our office or the youth’s home to they feel comfortable,” said Kunz. “As the matches interact, I pay attention to how things are going. If it doesn’t seem like a fit, we will have the youth meet other mentors. We want them to have a positive experience.”

Kunz said they are actively looking for mentors aged 18 or older to help build the MentorABILITY program in Evanston, Lyman and Bridger Valley.

“We’re excited for the program and all of the benefits for mentors and youth,” said Kunz.

Mentors help youth through teaching, encouragement,
instruction, influence, praise and guidance.

“We hope you’ll consider mentorship,” said UCBLN Executive Director Wanda Rogers, “and help us spread the word throughout our communities.”

Those interested are encouraged to reach out to the UCBLN for more information or submit an application by visiting the Facebook page, stopping by the office at 236 9th Street in Evanston, calling the office at (307) 783-6302 or emailing Anna Kunz at
mentor@blnworks.com.