Mam Non’s mentoring program has for the past 5 years matched young girls adopted from Asia, ages 9-13, with Asian American women, some of whom are also adoptees. The idea came from a wish from our program director's daughter. She asked for a big sister, a more meaningful relationship with a young Asian American woman. The girls and their mentors named the effort GIFT, or Growing In Friendship Together.
Currently we have 12 pairs participating, meeting once a month for one-on-one’s (ie museums, UM campus tour, ice cream) and once again as a group. Adoptive parents participate at each group session, separately from the girls and their mentors (activity planning, panels, book discussions, support). Mentors are trained on basic Asian American, adoption, and child development issues by our program organizers. All participants must commit to at least one year in the program. There is a waiting list for mentees since participation is dependent on our ability to recruit qualified mentors. This is an all volunteer, self-funded program.
Please contact Debbie Carr-Taylor with questions at debsuecarr at comcast.net . The organizers are available to train adoption groups on how to develop their own mentoring programs.
