It’s Mentoring Month in Tehama County!

It’s Mentoring Month in Corning!

It’s Mentoring Month in Red Bluff!

Banking on a Great Cause

Tickets for opportunity baskets themed “A Night in Italy,” “Summer Fun,” “Date Night,” “Paws for the Cause” and “Gardner’s Delight” are available at Umpqua Bank through Aug. 27.

They will then move to PremierWest Bank for two weeks. The baskets were designed by staff at Tehama County Social Services in volunteer support of the Tehama County Mentoring Program at the Department of Education. Tickets are $1 each or 10 for $5 and support local youth mentoring.

Shown here left to right are mentee Cerena Zornes with mentor Cathy Davis of PremierWest Bank; Social Services staff members Diana Martin, Rebecca Barram, Brian Nance, Lisa Matheson and Nicole Donato; and mentor Michelle Hake of Umpqua Bank with mentee Cailey Zornes

College Quest 2011

Win! Win! Win!

The staff at the Tehama County Department of Social Services have gone out of their way again to support the Mentoring Program through the creation of fundraising baskets.  We appreciate the generosity of spirit, time and money so many people put into creating these amazing themed baskets.

Tickets are available for $1 each or 10/$5.  The baskets can currently be seen at the Tehama County Department of Education, and will move to various banks around Red Bluff in the ensuing weeks.

"Date Night"-- $50 certificate to the Green Barn, Walk the Line dvd, $25 certificate for a manicure and much more for a romantic night with that special someone.

"Paws for the Cause"-- everything you need to keep dogs and cats happy and healthy.

"Family Summer Fun"-- Camp chairs, a cooler, games and more to keep the family entertained on hot summer days.

"Gardening Basket"-- a wheel barrow, hand tools, BBQ basket and more to make your yard the envy of the neighborhood.

"A Night in Italy"-- 3 pack Lucero Olive Oil, olive spread, garlic roaster and more to transport yourself to Italy in without leaving home.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Mentors and mentees will enjoy an annual trip to a Chico Outlaws baseball game on Friday, July 8 at 7:00pm. This is free seat cushion night! The Mentoring Program has teamed up with the Chico Outlaws to turn the night into a fundraiser, too! The Tehama County Mentoring Program  is selling tickets to the game for only $6. Half the proceeds will support the program.

For ticket information, please contact the program office at (530) 528-7242

Young Animal Whisperer Explores Career Options with Mentor

Ten year old Nicole Lowe didn’t get to sleep in on her first day of spring break.   The Bidwell School 4^th grader was up and out the door on April 18 to experience life in a veterinarian’s office with her mentor, Wanda Schuler. The two took advantage of Nicole’s more flexible schedule to meet up with veterinarian Megan Fox-Chow and vet tech Ana Rodriguez at Valley Vet.

Nicole, a self described animal lover, had expressed to Schuler an interest in veterinary medicine.  “Every animal that I come near, it just likes me,” says Nicole, “even if it’s a mean one.” As a mentor in the Tehama County Mentoring Program, Schuler sought out the opportunity to have Nicole spend some time with a female veterinarian.

“When I first heard Nicole say she wanted to be a veterinarian when she grew up, I thought to myself, that’s great but it will probably be something new next week and something else the week after that”, says Schuler, “When she mentioned the same goal a few times, I knew I wanted to give her the opportunity to experience the work close up.  I chose Valley Veterinary Clinic because it is woman-owned and operated. That was important because I wanted Nicole to see women professionals in a career she has an interest in.”

When Nicole became a little squeamish observing a dog being spayed in the surgery room, Dr. Fox was quick to let her know that she too had gotten a little light headed observing her first animal surgery at her family vet’s when she was Nicole’s age. “And now look what I’m doing!” she said as she expertly stitched the dog back up.

Ana Rodriguez, who found an interest in veterinary medicine through the Regional Occupational Program at Corning High School, explained the variety of ways someone can enter the field without becoming a veterinarian. Rodriguez, a veterinary technician, has a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in Animal Science.  She loves her job working with animals and appreciates the more regular hours she gets to keep as a vet tech. This gives her more time to spend with her own animals, cattle in Paskenta.

The Tehama County Mentoring program is administered by the Tehama County Department of Education.  According to Amy Schutter, Director of Student Support Services, mentoring can help fill gaps in the educational system by engaging the community.  “In times of decreased funding and opportunities for ROP and career exploration programs in schools, the Tehama County Mentoring Program is providing vocational mentoring and encouraging higher education. In the long run, this will help alleviate poverty and build a better workforce for our community.”

While Nicole ponders the opportunities in veterinary medicine available in her future, she’s pretty sure of a few things in her present. “I’m an animal whisperer, I guess,” she says. “That’s what my dad calls me.”

There’s that, and the support of a caring mentor.

This story appeared in the Red Bluff Daily News on Wednesday April 27, 2011 and can be found here.

Mentoring at the Movies

Mentors and Mentees are invited to a very special group outing on Friday, April 8 to see John Wayne’s “Chisum” screened by Shasta College Humanities Through Film students taking the course at the Red Bluff campus. The college students have designed lobby games and activities at 6:30. The movie screens at 7:00pm.

 

“Chisum” is screening as part of the “Weekend of Westerns”, which is part of the “11 Days of Round Up.” The Tehama County Mentoring Program is pleased to join this community celebration.

It’s Mentoring Month in Tehama County!