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A MENTOR’S EXPERIENCE

By Steven Ruiz

Steven Ruiz has been mentoring foster teenage boys at Optimist Group Home in the San Fernando Valley since early December 2008. He teaches a weekly Guitar Workshop as part of our Sound Off program.

Volunteering was something I was always interested in doing. When I found Create Now, I realized that I could share my love of music with kids.

I was very nervous the first time I showed up because I did not know what to expect. I made sure to leave home early so I could be at the group home on time. I happened to get lost and showed up 30 minutes late. When I arrived everyone seemed understanding. I introduced myself to the kids and finally when I finished speaking one of the kids told me that he was very happy that I would be coming to visit and that they really needed me to be consistent with them. At that point I realized the responsibility this mentoring opportunity would carry.

I began my guitar workshop with the kids my second visit there. I brought them brand new guitars provided by Create Now. The kids were so excited knowing that they would be able to use them whenever they wanted. One boy even said that he felt like it was Christmas.

The lessons began and only a few made it through the first lessons. Some of the kids lost interest and some had other responsibilities to deal with. I was a bit discouraged because I thought maybe I was not getting through to them. The class dwindled down to two kids. It seemed hopeless. Just as I felt like I had failed, I noticed one of the kids began opening up to me. He began telling me about what he was feeling, his worries and his dreams. That completely changed my attitude. The guitar workshop suddenly took on a new direction. I discovered that I could teach them lessons about life through the skills they were learning in music. The most rewarding experiences were when they saw themselves doing something they never thought they could.

The group is constantly changing and although it is hard to say goodbye to the kids when they leave, it feels good to see them have more confidence in themselves. It’s that confidence that will help them get to where they ultimately want to go in life.

Steven began mentoring through Create Now in early December 2008. He's employed as a medical biller while working towards an AA degree in Business Administration at Los Angeles Valley College. The following quotes were taken from conversations the youth had with Michelle Manning, therapist at Optimist Group Home, after the completion of one of Steven's workshops:

* Alvaro: “I’ve always wanted to play the guitar and I never could before so this is really great.”
* José (a young man who has trouble with hyperactivity): “I’m concentrating on learning the strumming and learning the chords and it's really helping me focus.”
* Lucias: “I love that you can get your feelings out and express yourself.”

Michelle said, “One of the boys has been using the guitar to soothe himself when he’s upset. It’s a therapeutic benefit. And he used to write songs but had stopped, and now he’s writing again.”

Special thanks to the sponsors of our Sound Off program

In-N-Out Burger Foundation, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the Northrop Grumman Foundation and the Good News for Kids Foundation. We're very grateful to all of our sponsors.