South Kildare youth justice mentor urges others to step up

Kildare volunteer John Jones has firsthand experience of how powerful mentoring can be. For the past four years, he’s supported young people who are in contact with the justice system in the Newbridge and South Kildare area through Le Chéile
Mentoring. Now, with the organisation facing a shortage of volunteers, John is calling on others to step forward.

For John, it’s all about building a connection with the young people he supports.

"Just listen to them and say, "Well, maybe you could try this" or "This works for me, I don't know if it could for you.

"You're not a schoolteacher; You're not a guard. You're someone who's sharing life experiences and talking to them at their level with empathy. Just be a support, be an ear, have a bit of craic with them. Treating them like a person is the way to go."

Through his mentoring, John has helped young people take important steps, from gaining independence through doing further education and training to helping others make better choices when faced with tough situations. These small changes can
make a world of difference. However, committing to mentoring wasn’t a decision he took lightly.

“I wasn’t sure about doing this at first. What could I give someone? But then the advice from my family and friends was: ‘You can just tell them your life experiences and what worked for you and what didn’t… just try to shine a light in dark corners
where they haven’t seen before and show them there is a way.’ It feels rewarding because I know deep down that if they can take even a small piece of what we talk about, it might help them in the future when it comes to the choices they make.”

National Volunteer Coordinator Sara McDonnell says: "Mentoring is about showing up, not being perfect. You don’t need qualifications or special skills. A willingness to listen and learn coupled with the belief in a young person’s potential is enough. Our mentors come from all walks of life, but they share a commitment to making a real difference for people in their communities through small actions."

Le Chéile Mentoring provides full training and ongoing support to all volunteers, who meet with their mentees for a couple of hours each week. Mentoring is about being there consistently, showing up, and offering support through listening during critical
moments.

If you're in Newbridge or Naas and want to make a difference in a young person’s life, why not take the first step? Get in touch with Sara McDonnell to find out more about becoming a mentor with Le Chéile.

The organisation is hosting two online information sessions on December 9th, one at lunchtime at 1.15 to 2 pm and one in the evening from 6.30 to 7.15 pm.

To learn more or to get involved, contact Sara McDonnell at 087 2016801 or email her at saramcdonnell@lecheile.ie. Your time and commitment could help make a lasting impact in a young person’s life.