Do you know any WI or MN residents who can help... quick. My son needs a "mentor".

[PeaceNikki]

I am cross-posting this from the WI forum because time is of the essence and I am desperate for help quickly. Being the holidays, I am having a very difficult time with this.

Things with my son have taken an interesting and hopeful turn over the past week or two. He's expressed interest in attending the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy ( http://challengeacademy.org/home.html ). It's a 22 week residential program designed for "at risk" teens. It's supposed to help him obtain his HS equivalency diploma and make positive life changes, job skills, and develop character. I've been scrambling like crazy to get the application complete because the next class starts January 18. I really think it would be an amazing chance for him to turn things around. He's excited and nervous about it all, too.

Today we received a call from the admissions department inviting us to the orientation on January 3. He's got a very good chance of being accepted into this program beginning January 18. One of the missing pieces in his application is a mentor. I am linking below to the Mentor Application from The Challenge Academy that explains the expectations and qualifications of being a mentor. We are under a SIGNIFICANT time crunch and need to have a completed Mentor application with us on orientation day – January 3. I know that it's a lot to ask, but I am hoping that someone that you may know would be willing and able to help a teen in need of a positive male mentor and with this major step.

A link to detailed info on the qualifications and commitments is here: http://challengeacademy.org/Mentor.pdf .

My son has had a very tough life. This is a real step in the right direction and I am in tears with hope at a bright future for him.

If nothing else... the "Lounge vibes" I've heard about would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Thank you in advance for ANY help you can provide. Please PM me if you have any thoughts.

[Midlodemocrat]

1. How about a former teacher?

[PeaceNikki]

2. I have messages in with a handful... but they're all on holiday break

:(

The timing on this is killing me.

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Kicking to the top

have you tried a church?

My BIL is a Lutheran minister in Owatonna, MN
Am sending you a PM

[PeaceNikki]

4. Thank you very much!!

:hug:

[auntAgonist]

5. a kick for PeaceNikki and her son.

[PeaceNikki]

6. Thank you, aA!

There is hope...

The director of his school contacted me. He's not able to mentor due to the weekend time commitments involved, but he is getting in touch with some staff today and tomorrow.

I've also gotten in touch with the local police department. There are a few officers there who "know" him and one or two who've been very compassionate and caring - I am hoping one of them rises to the civic duty :patriot: of helping a local teen. I also have a contact from a very kind DUer with a relative in the region.

Thanks again for your kind words and support. :hug:

[auntAgonist]

7. that is awesome !!

I'll keep my fingers crossed.

aA
:hug:

[PeaceNikki]

8. Update: A FANTASTIC man from MN has offered to help!

:bounce:

I am bursting with joy!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=7288095&mesg_id=7288095

Thank you, aA!

:hug;