Prevention Corner: 2009 Outstanding Mentor of the Year

Each year the Mentoring Center of Central Ohio designates an Outstanding Mentor of the Year and a Commended Mentor Award to two individuals who embody the true spirit of mentoring. This year, two members of the Northwest Counseling Service Mentors Program were recognized.

This year's winner of the Outstanding Mentor of the Year award was John Lavkulich. Lavkulish has been mentoring for almost five years and is currently working with his second mentee. Lavkulish works with mentees to make sure they learn and have fun at the same time. Nathan, one of Lavkulish's mentees, has developed a love for woodworking. Lavkulish remembers, "When Nathan sees the finished product, and how beautiful it is, he experiences a sense of pride in accomplishing a task."

Lavkuhlish and his mentee also do other activities including gardening and cooking. One day, Nathan came over when Lavkulish was preparing his garden, so Nathan read the directions on a packet of green bean seeds and together they planted the seeds. Over time, Nathan, through continuous visits with Lavkuhlish, got to water and weed the garden; ultimately he got the chance to harvest the beans, cook and eat them. Nathan recalls, "I never liked green beans before, but these tasted especially good!"

Gardening, woodworking, and cooking are life skills which involve multiple steps that teach mentees like Nathan patience, hope, and self confidence. Lavkulish enjoys the mentoring programs so much he has also talked his wife into becoming a mentor and she herself has been working for three years with a little girl.

This year's Commended Mentor Award goes to Melanie Headley. Headley has been working with her mentee for four years and she makes sure she works with her mentee to decide on the activities they do together. Going to driving ranges was her mentee's idea; Melanie didn't even know how to golf, but enjoyed it. Headley recalls, "I would not have tried golfing myself if I had not been matched!"

Headley, like many other mentors, uses her time with her mentees as a learning experience She understands there is a lot she can teach her mentee and also knows their relationship can teach her things.

It is important to recognize those who volunteer their time to help those in need as both Lavkulish and Headley have done with their mentees. Programs like the Northwest Counseling Service Mentor Program are vital to the growth of our community. When you give a child a positive role model it can give them a chance to live a positive, healthy life.

ADAMH applauds John Lavkulish and Melanie Headley for their hard work and dedication to those who may just need a friend!

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