DREAM BUILDERS ALLIANCE
Tom Belcher
A bit about MentorshipMentorship is one of the most rewarding, fun, and challenging endeavors that I've participated in. Mentors spend about three to five hours per week investing in the goals and dreams of the participant, which spans over a six month commitment to the program. Active listener, socially flexible, compassionate, empathetic, curious, energetic, and a "can do" perspective are some of the characteristics of a solid mentor. Most importantly, a mentor is a friend.
|
About DBAYouth who experience disabilities are often not given adequate transition services to prepare them for adulthood. It has been likened to “falling off the cliff.”
Dream Builders Alliance (DBA) is a grass roots effort to provide empowerment education and community opportunities to youth ages 12-14, and transition opportunities to youth ages 16-21. We work to connect all participants to post-secondary education, housing and employment options. Participants are also provided an introduction to adult support services that emphasizes individual choice and full community inclusion. Community Vision, Inc. cvi.org |
Making ConnectionsI met Rachel Eaton, DBA Coordinator, while attending the fall/2015 Social Impact Career/Volunteer Fair. Once I learned about the DBA program, I knew I had stumbled upon a perfect community partnership opportunity for my capstone.
I immediately contacted University Studies with my idea and they connected me to Heather Petzold, instructor of the Effective Change Agent Capstone. After my interview with her I felt this capstone would provide the rich interdisciplinary environment that I needed to maximize my unique learning experience. |
Meet Washington!Washington Thorup is a bright young man, full of life, and ready to independently explore the world. He is an athlete and participates in an array of sports such as soccer and hockey. Washington also enjoys flying and dreams of being a pilot. As a mentor, I've had the opportunity and privilege to build a friendship with him. I feel that I have learned way more from Washington than I could ever teach him. His charisma and energy are contagious!
Mentorship is person centered so Washington is ultimately in the driver's seat during our time together. That said, our friendship is built on mutual respect and trust. Even though we got along from the beginning, it has taken time to build a level of trust that provides the foundation needed for open communication.
Some of the activities that we have explored together are going to the public library, OMSI, Interactive Museum of Gaming and Puzzlery (IMOGAP), and touring the Portland State University campus.
|
My plan is to graduate high school, get a 'real' job, get married, and have a family." |
Reflections
"Loneliness is the only real disability." - David Pitonyak When an individual is labeled "challenging" he or she often experiences isolation from community until the behavior is "fixed". David Pitonyak states that we have it backwards. It is only when an individual experiences meaningful relationship that the need for challenging behavior will decrease.
- David Pitonyak, dimagine.com |
|