For the previous year, Marc Schaer has volunteered for the Partners Mentoring Program. He spends between three and seven hours a week mentoring a twelve-year-old boy. The activities he shares with his junior partner range from homework to library visits, and even skiing. He tries to provide positive interaction on a one-to-one basis, but he's quick to add that it's not a one-way street, "I'm lucky to hang out with him too."

Schaer, a recent college graduate, felt the urge to get involved in the community. He said, "There are problems world-wide, but I read the slogan, 'Think globally, act locally' and I decided to start by helping a child, to set him in the right direction."

One of the benefits Schaer has realized through his volunteer efforts is a greater ease when interacting with strangers. He said, "First, I had to learn how to interact with a child. I have gotten better at starting conversations and introducing interesting topics. As well, when I am in public with my partner, I have to interact with a wider variety of people in general than I would otherwise."

Schaer enjoys his time with his partner, "The kid has the coolest imagination. He starts with a true story, and somewhere his imagination kicks in and he has motorcycles jumping over the Grand Canyon. It reminds me of my own childhood. I look forward to our activities and I always have new stories for my friends." Once, while driving home, his partner shared this story, "When I grow up, I want to invent a motorcycle all of tires and wheels and even if you fell over, you'd keep driving!"
As he looks to the future, Schaer is exploring how to expand his activities with his junior partner through other programs with the Volunteer Connection.

For information about volunteering with Partners Mentoring Program or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904.