Kim Whitman-Mansfield can’t help but smile when talking about her time as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Whitman-Mansfield and Nicholas Wentzell, 17, were paired in 2010 and the two have had many adventures over that time.
And now, considering that January is Mentor Month for youth agencies across the world, Whitman-Mansfield is encouraging people along the South Shore to volunteer as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Volunteering, said Whitman-Mansfield, has allowed her to form a long-life friendship with Wentzell and has changed her life.
“We’ve had quite a lot happen in our lives in the time we’ve been together,” she said.
“It’s allowed me to be a kid because I’ve had the perfect excuse to do silly things and Lord knows we did.”
For example, Whitman-Mansfield recalled a winter NERF-gun excursion some years ago at the Miller Point Peace Park.
Whitman-Mansfield, bundled for the snowy expedition, quietly negotiated the woods alongside the serious youngster.
At one point, they split up and Whitman-Mansfield emerged from the woods, brightly coloured NERF-gun in hand, and stumbled upon a couple walking their dog.
The couple was a little surprised.
Looking to reassure them, Whitman-Mansfield exclaimed: “Oh, I’m not by myself!”
That memory, which still sparks laughter from the both of them, is only one of thousands the two have shared over the years.
Wentzell and Whitman-Mansfield typically meet every Sunday and enjoy going to movies, concerts and exploring outside.
They have a routine and one that is welcome in otherwise busy weekdays.
When asked about the impact of having a mentor, Wentzell said he enjoyed their conversations and planning activities.
“It’s a good program for people that want to have fun,” he said. “I’d recommend it to anyone.”
The issue is that Big Brothers Big Sisters is in need of more volunteers.
Jennifer Meister, the executive director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Shore, said the region has 40 kids waiting to be paired with mentors.
“Some of them have been waiting for over five years,” said Meister.
She said she hopes stories like Whitman-Mansfield and Wentzell’s inspire people to get involved.
“If more people could hear some of the benefits and why they should volunteer, we’d have no problem meeting the needs that are out there,” said Meister.
There are two different types of mentoring programs available through Big Brothers Big Sisters.
The first is the more traditional mentor-mentee program, which requires participants to make themselves available at least once a week and to commit for a year.
The second is a school mentor program and requires participants to commit an hour per week.
Meister stressed that the time commitment is minimal compared to the potential impact on a child in need of company.
“Every time we hear these stories of the mentor and mentees and what they’ve done for each other, it makes us want to keep going,” she said.
And Whitman-Mansfield and Wentzell will keep going, too.
Wentzell said he has made it his goal to participate as a mentee until his 18th birthday.
“I usually don’t make goals,” he said but noted it was important to hit a decade in the program.
Both Whitman-Mansfield and Wentzell acknowledge that their friendship is something they will cherish forever.
“I suspect we’re paired for life,” said Whitman-Mansfield.
