Children are a gift from God
Some of our Bona Buddies youth are living in tough situations, regardless of their socio-economic condition. They need you to mentor and inspire them, not to judge their circumstances. Some of our buddies are in family situations that you may not be used to. Some are on medications that you are unfamiliar with. There are some social realities involved in our program. We are helping children, not judging their circumstances. You are more to your buddy than you realize. For example, you may be providing a respite service for his or her parental units.
You may never appreciate just how important you are in your buddy’s life.
Mentors/Tutors are not just friends
Your involvement in a Bona Buddies program holds some responsibilities. Of course, you are friendly and fun to be around, but you are not just friends with the youth in this program. When you commit to volunteering with the Bona Buddies Program, you are committing to be an important role model for a child. This commitment involves keeping in touch and being accountable to the Bona Buddies Program as well as to the children and families and the agencies that made the referral(s). As such, you are a representative of St. Bonaventure University to everyone involved. This is why it is so disheartening when mentors become MIA (Missing in Action).
If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to speak to us in Social Ministries. If you see something in a child’s situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, seems abusive or dangerous, NOTIFY NICK GOODELL IMMEDIATELY. If a child discloses a secret to you involving abuse, neglect or anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, NOTIFY NICK GOODELL IMMEDIATELY. While we are not a social service agency, we have the ability and resources to address the matter in safer ways than you can alone. You are doing your part by being a safe, older and wiser mentor to your buddy. Let us do our part by accessing appropriate resources for the child.