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Discover our history and how you can make a difference! Be matched with a mentor, apply online, set up visits, and visit weekly while earning $12/hour towards your tuition.
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Our History • The seeds for Assist and PFE were planted in the early 1970s when a young elementary school girl felt God had called her to make a difference in someone’s life by regularly visiting a person unable to leave her home. She heard about just such a lady, who was forced to leave a successful career due to illness, causing her to move in with her son’s family. One day during this difficult time, the girl knocked on the door and asked if there was a shut-in she could visit. The family eagerly agreed and she began visiting a number of times every week. The girl and the woman formed a special relationship where both began to thrive. The family never forgot the incredible difference those hours spent together made in all of their lives.
Our History, cont’d • God blessed the family and 35 years later they were seeking ways to share a portion of the bounty God had given. They desired for their funds to encourage young people to visit those lonely. They wanted to support SDA schools while encouraging students to build intergenerational relationships and develop a strong work ethic - and that is why you are here! • Through Southern Adventist University, Assist and PFE exist to make this happen in communities across the nation. One young girl with a desire to serve made a massive difference in not only that woman’s life but in many others. Her visits over 35 years ago are now responsible for over 600,000 hours of visits with $7.5 million dollars donated directly to student’s tuition in SDA elementary schools and academies. • YOU have the ability to make a difference! • YOU could change a life!
Who do we need? • We need YOU: • A student who is committed to visiting a mentor and impacting their life • A student who wants to serve, grow, and build a relationship with this mentor • A student who wants to make a difference • A student who wants to learn all they can from a mentorship • A student who is open to having their own life changed in a positive way
How does it work? You will visit your Mentor(s): • Every week • For the number of hours per week that your school assigns • Every single week of the school year • Submit a reflection form online for every visit you make And you will get: • $12/hour for visiting and working with your Mentor that is put towards your tuition at your academy. • Joy in knowing you are making a difference in your Mentor’s life!
Steps to a Successful ASSIST Year • Step 1: Be Matched with a Mentor • Step 2: Apply Online • Step 3: Set Up Your Visits • Step 4: Visit! • Step 5: Reflect on Your Visit
Step 1: Be Matched with a Mentor You may be paired with multiple Mentors. Find a Mentor: • With whom you can form a relationship • Who might be lonely and is needing some company • Who might have similar interests or hobbies • Who you might be acquainted with at church or as a neighbor Your Mentor: • Must not suffer from Alzheimer’s or severe dementia • Cannot be related to you by any degree • Must commit to visiting for one hour, once per week for the entire school year (you may work around vacation and sickness)
If you are visiting someone in a nursing home • If you are serving in a nursing home you are not “general staff” • No washing dishes, cleaning up after meals, etc. • You still need to be interacting with 1 person on your visits.
Step 2: Apply Online • Go to www.southern.edu/assist • Click on the iConnect website link at the top of the page • This website is also where you will be submitting your visit reflections, so go ahead and bookmark it! • Hover over “Students” in the top right corner, and click “Create Account” • Video Tutorial for Students: • http://www.southern.edu/administration/assistpfe/docs/HowtoCreateaStudentAccount.mp4
Step 3: Set Up Your Visits • Once your application is approved by your Coordinator: • Contact your Mentor(s) to set up weekly visits • Setting up visits for the same day, same time every week will make your commitments easier to remember • Make sure that you schedule your visits around vacation time and any sickness that may occur • If you or your Mentor becomes sick and cannot make a visit, reschedule a time when you can possibly make it up • Keep your Coordinator and Student Supervisor in the loop as to sickness, issues, concerns, etc. They are there for YOU!
Step 4: Visit! • Make sure you talk with your Mentor to see what they would like to do during your hours together. They may need some chores done, or have a puzzle they would like to finish! • Be on time, and let your Mentor know ahead of time if you need to reschedule. • Activity Ideas: • Create with your mentor a calendar of visits, events, birthdays, graduation, vacation, and much more. See our website at www.southern.edu/assist for resources. • Ask your mentor teach you how to cook something • Share with your mentor something cool you learned in class • Each share a hobby with the other and learn something new • Do some chores together that your mentor has been wanting to get done • Ask your mentor to help you with some difficult homework • Help with doing laundry or cleaning up the house • Do some yard work with your mentor The ideas are endless! Work with your Mentor to see what activities fit best for the both of you.
Step 4: Visit! (continued) • Unacceptable Assist Activities—these will not be awarded with payment: • Watching TV all the time—if there is a special show you would like to share together once in a while, that is fine • Being on your phone or ignoring your Mentor—this is a time to share together • Visiting your Mentor’s home while he/she is away • Generally, no more than a one-to-one pairing—your Student Supervisor will let you know of any exceptions • Each Mentor should only be paired with one student • No bouncing between Mentors—you should be paired with your specific Mentor(s) per year, unless something unfortunate happens where you need to switch mentors • No invasive procedures, picking up your mentor, or DRIVING your mentor, even if you are completing a CNA course • Although you are encouraged to spend lots of time with your mentor, a wage will not be given for visits that happen during school events or Sabbath hours • If you have too many unexcused visits, as per your school’s rules, you may be dropped from the program
Miscellaneous Visit rules • Siblings may not attend visits • Students may not “back-fill” visits • Say our program begins September 1, but you are not able to begin until October 1. The scholarship that you accrue begin on October 1 and you cannot report make-up visits for time missed in September. If you miss too many visits, as per your school’s rules, you may be dropped from the program
Step 5: Reflect on Your Visit • Head to iConnect using the same steps as you did to apply to Assist: • Go to www.southern.edu/assist • Bookmark the iConnect website for ease of access • Hover over “Students” and click “Login” • Use the email and password you applied with to log in • Once logged in you will see your “Dashboard”; click “Submit New” in the red box
Step 5: Reflect on Your Visit (continued) What we are looking for is evidence that you (the student) and your Mentor(s) are developing positive, mutually beneficial relationships. Include your Mentor’s name or a fake one if they do not feel comfortable with you sharing. Use the same name(s) for your Mentor(s) for the whole year—but obviously change if you need to switch mentors. Reflect on: • What you learned about your Mentor • How you helped your Mentor • What you did with your Mentor • What you liked about what you did with your Mentor • What you think your Mentor liked about the visit Write at least 6 sentences per hour worked, fully explaining your visit. Include a picture or story that you would like Southern Adventist University’s Assist office or the Assist donors to have.
Step 5: Reflect on Your Visit (continued) Visit reflection rules: • Your Visit Reflection must be submitted by the weekly deadline of 3 days • Submitting right when you get home • Your Visit Reflection must be truthful, accurate, and complete. No payment will be awarded for visits not submitted online. • Repeat steps 4 and 5 every week!
Examples of Awesome Reflections • From a 12th Grader • “I went to visit my mentor. We sat down and talked about my future. She asked me what I wanted to do as a career. I told her my decision which was business, but then she explain to me that I needed to be more specific in what I want to do. Knowing specifically what I want to do will help me much more when working towards a career of my choice. I learned a lot from my mentor and her friend and I provided spiritual care to my mentor.” • From a 10th Grader • “Janet and I worked on a puzzle and visited. I cleaned up her room and emptied the trash. I took her for a walk in her wheelchair. We walked downtown and looked at all the scarecrows that are displayed on the parking meters for the downtown contest. We saw some really good ones and had some really good laughs together.”
You Be the Judge… • What is wrong with this list of reflections?
Yearly Survey • Each year, you will be asked to complete a survey. This 10-question or less survey will ask about your relationship with your mentor and your experience so far with Assist. • Please note that this survey is required and part of participating in the program. • The Assist office at Southern Adventist University and your Coordinator thank you for providing information that can help to make the program better for you and students across the country.
Fundraisers • Southern Adventist University covers 70% of the cost leaving RAA to fundraise the remaining 30%. • Various fundraisers are planned over the course of the school year and volunteering at a MINIMUM of 3 is required. • September 22: Fall Fair (on a Sunday) • March 6: TK-6th Grade Jog-a-thon (Week Day) • Oct. 19: Outdoor Movie (Weekend) • March 15: Talent Show (Weekend) • April 19: Mother & Son Banquet (Weekend) • Bake Sale TBD (Friday) • Pancake Breakfast TBD (Weekday)
What Do Senior Adults Want? • To feel that they are in control—don’t boss them around • Dignity and respect—don’t dismiss what they have to say • To be recognized for the things they have done and are doing • Someone to listen and talk to • Attention from those they love & respect • Privacy and respect for their “space” • Freedom and independence for as long as possible • Friends, young and old • To be in touch spiritually
How to Start a Conversation • Make positive observations about their room, home, yard, photographs, etc. and sincerely compliment them • Act interested, but not too nosey • Ask them if there is anything you can do to help them • Always be respectful—use “Mr.” or “Mrs.” unless told otherwise
Safety Precautions • Always be on the lookout for tripping hazards such as loose or torn carpeting, loose thresholds, broken tiles, and electrical cords • If a stove fire starts, turn off the burner and slide a lid over and call for help or 911 • Note where the fire extinguisher and baking soda are in case of fire • Keep your cell phone on you in case of emergency
Be Safe Around Medications • It is important to take medicine that is meant only for YOU • Be prepared in case of an emergency: • Call the poison control center at 1.800.222.1222 • Or call 911
Physical Limitations of Senior Adults • Hearing Loss—What do I do if my Mentor can’t hear me? • Be patient and speak clearly • Face the person when you talk • Don’t shout • Avoid talking while eating or chewing gum • Be willing to patiently repeat what you said
Physical Limitations of Senior Adults • Vision Loss • They may not always instantly recognize you • They may need you to be their “eyes” at times Speech Loss • Their voices may become weaker and harder to understand – be patient
Physical Limitations of Senior Adults • Complaining • Because of their frustrations, they may complain about family, living situation, health, etc. • Don’t feel you have to solve their problems for them • Practice “active listening” by repeating what you think they said and offering sympathy
You’re Ready! • You are now prepared to embark on this journey with your Mentor(s)! If you have any questions now or throughout the year, contact your school’s Assist Student Supervisor. They will be your first line of contact. • If you have any questions that your Student Supervisor cannot answer, have them contact Mariana at the Southern Adventist University Assist Office. • THANK YOU for using your time in such a way to make a Mentor’s day! We need more people like YOU in the world!
Contact Information • Your Student Supervisor at Redlands Adventist Academy: • Chaltu Sandiford • csandiford@redlandsacademy.org • 909-793-1000 x. 114 Southern Adventist University’s Assist Office: • assist-program@southern.edu
