Lose weight, get a new job, pay off the bills.. How many times, year after year, do we make the same list of resolutions? “This year will be different!" we say. But if you are like most people, as the weeks go on it’s difficult to keep those promises to yourself.

Perhaps it is time to add a new resolution to your list- one that encourages you to keep your promise because it involves another person- a child. There are youth in Melrose who could benefit tremendously from your love of sports, ability to fix cars, hobby of cooking or crafts, or even your love of the outdoors! Whatever it is that makes you unique is exactly what we are looking for in our mentors. Resolve to commit to becoming a mentor in 2008.

Now in our third year of operation, the Melrose C.A.R.E.S. Community Mentoring Program is a wonderful 12 month program that matches caring adults from the community with middle school students from the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School. The program focuses on building a rapport between the mentor and mentee through group activities like board games, arts and crafts, a photography project and guest speakers. Eventually our mentors are asked to venture out on their own for some quality one-on-one time with their mentee, while continuing on with monthly group activities. It is all about fun, connecting with and supporting one another. Mentors in the past have claimed to benefit more than the students!

What do you have to gain? How about the idea that you are giving back to the community? Maybe it is the thought of a night out with some other adults who share the same spirit of helping. Or perhaps you are a woman in a household of men and would enjoy some quality "girl time" - or vice versa!! (Mentors and mentees are paired with the same sex). Maybe it is just the thought that you could help a child in your community get through life a little easier. You may have been thinking about mentoring for some time but just haven’t taken that next step. Now is the time to do it!!! January is National Mentoring Month: make a promise to a child in 2008 and you may be the one that gains the most.

Sharon Loveridge is the Mentoring Program Coordinator for the Melrose CARES Community Mentoring Program.