Reflections – Staff

Our Ambassador of Mentoring, Mofei Xu, recently completed her year of service at QARI. After developing two successful programs, she reflects on her work and talks about the valuable resource a mentor can be.

Mofei with high school mentors from the U&I Mentoring Program.

Words simply cannot begin to describe how amazing and life-changing mentoring is. When I started my year as an AmeriCorps member last August, I wasn’t too sure myself what mentoring meant. Through my year at Quincy Asian Resources, Inc. and through the knowledge I have gathered from Mass Mentoring Partnership, my eyes have been opened to a whole different world.

Sure there was a lot of scraping things together, pulling strings, calling, emailing and becoming frustrated all too often, but in the end it was so worth it! To see all the impact mentoring has made on everyone – mentors, mentees, staff and even me – is remarkable.

An Opportunity – Senki

Daisy, and her mentor, Senki

Thanks QARI’s mentoring program gave me an opportunity to be Daisy’s mentor, that I can through this program to share my experience with her that how I adapted US life when I was in high school. I remembered the first time we have met, we talked a lot to know each other, to share our experiences. Every time we meet, we always have Starbucks drinks with us, this is our common preferences.

I brought her to Downtown and Haymarket for job searching yesterday. I told her to get and fill out the application form by herself, to improve her speaking and reading skills. I love to meet with my mentee. I hoped that I can use the best of my ability to help her in her life.

Paying Forward – Staff

John Brothers, our Executive Director here at QARI, is sharing with us his thoughts on mentoring and youth development.

John, rallying up the youth to prep for the Lunar New Year Festival at NQHS, 2/12/2012.

Most people have adults who made a lasting impression in their lives, sometimes in a very short time. When I was 11 years old, a director at the YMCA encouraged me to join the Leaders club. She approached me and told me I would be good at this. Although she only stayed at the Y for another 6 months, I will always remember her confidence in me. I believe when I work with a young person, I am paying forward what that director did for me.

Power of Believing – Staff

Thanks for patiently waiting for us to come out of our short hiatus. We have a real treat for everyone today! We are happy to have Christine Nguyen, our past AmeriCorps Vista*/Youth Programs and Events Coordinator at QARI write a post. Christine is currently residing in her hometown of Houston, Texas.

Christine, always so proud of her youths!

Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.

~ Lady Bird Johnson

 

Most people will be able to name at least one person who has been a solid, encouraging influence in their life. More than a role model, a mentor plays an active role as a motivator and a source of advice and wisdom. You can have a mentor or be a mentor at any stage in your life. At 10, my two teenage brothers were my mentors when they encouraged and helped me run for a student council position. As I reflect on that small victory now, I am grateful that despite all of the torture that comes with having two older brothers, I grew up with two mentors who provided me guidance through every awkward step of childhood and adolescence. Their support increased my confidence and belief that I should apply myself to any endeavor I explore.

Being Shy, and Taylor Swift – Erica

Meeting someone new for the first time is always nerve wrecking. Meeting a new mentee who you are about to embark on a special journey with is  especially memorable. Today we are sharing Erica’s story and how she became a mentor in our U&I Mentoring program. 

JiaYin and her mentor, Erica at the Museum of Science on 2/22/12.

When I was about to meet Jia Yin, I was excited, but I was also a little nervous since I felt a sense of responsibility to guide her because U&I Mentoring is a one-on-one mentoring program.  However, I soon discovered that mentoring is not only a commitment, but it is also a rewarding experience.

Why I Mentor – Andrew

Today we are proud to highlight one of our mentors from QARI Connects. Despite language and cultural differences (Andrew is of Vietnamese descent, and Alan is Malaysian), this pair has bonded and grown together. It just goes to show that no barrier is too big of an obstacle in mentoring!

Andrew and Alan at Mentoring Night at Fenway enjoying a Red Sox v. Orioles game! (Red Sox won!!)

Growing up, I was lucky. Though my parents were new to the American culture of schools, extracurriculars, clubs, and sports, they still realized how important it was for me try different things and meet other people. Growing up, things like Boy Scouts, Tae Kwon Do, swim team, and piano lessons just seemed like fun activities to pass the time. I didn’t realize it then, but through all of these, I was being mentored. The skills, experiences, and relationships I accumulated would eventually contribute greatly to the person I am decades later. The leaders that helped me learn and the friends that I learned with, would help me develop the way that I approach new problems and challenges. Today, as a mentor, I get to return the favor and hopefully help my mentee, Alan, conquer similar challenges and develop some of the same ideals and skills that got me through high school, college, and starting my career.

Mentor and Friend – XiaoYu

For the first time, we are pleased to highlight a mentee in our QARI Connects program. XiaoYu is a Junior at Quincy High School. She came to United States in 2011. The passage below is completely original and unedited; isn’t it amazing how good her English is?

Left to Right: XiaoYu and her mentor, Xiaotong at the Boston Flower & Garden Show 3/17/12.

“ Hi! My name is Xiaotong. I am from Sichuan.” She used her influent Chinese to introduce herself. Actually, it was not my first time to see Xiaotong. I saw her at first time when was on August Moon Festival. She taught us to dance. She gave me the first impression was that lively. Now she is my mentor . To be honest, she is not only my mentor but also my friend. Her pleasant personality affects me. We have many activities to do and I very enjoy the time when we stay together.