Some Concerns You May Have About Partners...
"How can I help a troubled child? I'm not a counselor."
Partners has an experienced and professional staff that trains you to become an effective and viable advocate in a person's life. They support you with weekly contact and are with you each step of your partnership. We simply want you to be willing to be a friend. Junior Partners are looking for you to show you care, and are willing to spend some time with them.
"I DON'T THINK I HAVE ENOUGH TIME."
WE'VE NOTICED THAT OUR SENIOR PARTNERS SPEND ABOUT 70% OF THE TIME WITH THEIR JUNIOR PARTNER DOING THINGS THAT THEY WOULD NORMALLY BE DOING. AND 30% OF THEIR TIME PARTICIPATING IN PARTNERS REQUIRED ACTIVITIES. IN OUR "REGULAR PARTNERS AGREEMENT", WE REQUIRE THAT YOU SPEND AN AVERAGE OF THREE HOURS A WEEK DOING THINGS YOU BOTH ENJOY. IF YOU'RE HAVING A STRESSFUL WEEK, BE HONEST WITH YOUR PARTNER AND OFFER TO DO A "NO-BRAINER" ACTIVITY TO LET HIM/HER KNOW THAT YOU STILL WANT TO BE WITH AND CARE ABOUT THEM.
"I DON'T THINK I CAN AFFORD THIS."
Being a Senior Partner does not mean that you have to be the "Sugar Daddy." Partners offers a range of low cost activities that are fun and appropriate for all age groups. We also have a list of businesses in the Montezuma County community that give discounts to Partnerships. Some Senior Partners have their Junior Partners work for them. Some Junior Partners get an allowance, or work a part-time job. However, some of the best times you'll have together will be talking, working on a project at home, cooking dinner or playing monopoly.
"I DON'T WANT TO WORK WITH JUST ANY KID."
We don't want you to work with just any kid either. We interview all of out volunteers and youth and match them with Partnerships that have the potential to last a lifetime. The children involved in our program are also volunteers, that have indicated a willingness to change their behavior and be your friend, too. As a Senior Partner you will be paired with someone that shares your interests, and has needs that compliment your strengths.
"I'M NOT SURE THAT I WANT TO DO THIS ALL BY MYSELF."
You won't. As we mentioned before, a trained and knowledgeable counselor will be in contact with you weekly to answer questions, and helping you with problem solving. And as an added bonus, you'll meet and have contact with some of the finest colunteers in the county, who know exactly what your going through and are willing to help and listen.
If you would like to become involved with the Partners Program, please stop by 1104 East Main Cortez, CO 81321 or please email
Melissa Betrone at mbetrone@charterinternet.com or Michele Rivas at michele@fone.net You may call them at (970) 565-4926.