Connect Client Discipleship
The effective poverty fighter understands the importance of developing TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS with those in need.
Did you know that low-income adults are…
- 27% more likely to be lonely.
- 47% more likely to say they have no one to call in an emergency.
- 20% more likely to say they have no close friends at all.
- (Stats courtesy of True Charity Initiative).
How does Connect work?
To help build affiliation & bonding in our struggling neighbors’ lives, we give them the option of being ‘connected’ with an individual mentor. Clients are always paired with mentors of the same gender.
Our goal is to introduce healthy and trustworthy relationships which can lead to holistic transformation. The effective mentor is less like a boss or savior and more like a consultant or friend. All mentors are trained by CVCCS to:
- Be a solid Christ-like example for their mentee.
- Be a reliable listening ear and a friend for their mentee.
- Initiate regular communication and face to face meetings with their mentee.
- Show love and compassion to their mentee.
Common mentoring myths:
MYTH #1: “Mentors must be old.” Age is not the necessary qualification to be a good mentor; rather, maturity, stability, and a strong commitment to integrity and personal growth are cornerstone traits.
MYTH #2: “Mentors must be perfect.” Everyone has flaws and past mistakes, mentors included! Openness about imperfection is key to a healthy mentoring relationship. Perfection is not a requirement or the aim; rather, the goal is to pursue mutual development.
MYTH #3: “Mentors must have all the answers.” No one person has all the answers in life. The mentor must have wisdom to offer, but also be ready and willing to tap on others for help when he inevitably encounters an issue beyond his scope.
MYTH #4: “Mentoring is only for people with problems.” Mentoring is for people who desire personal growth and see relationship as the vehicle for that growth. If more people were mentored earlier, a lot of problems could be avoided!