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Several UF Students are continuing their mentorship journey through a local organization and now a club affiliated with the organization
By Jenna Waits, WaitsJ@Findlay.edu
The University of Findlay welcomed a new club to campus, Children’s Mentoring Connection Campus Champions (CMCCC), which is connected to Children’s Mentoring Connections (CMC). CMC is able to provide a monitored mentorship program to children, both male and female, who may have a more troubled home life.
William Small, a pre-veterinary science major was involved with mentorship beginning his sophomore year of high school and continued that mentorship throughout the rest of his high school career.
“I have two kids I still keep in contact with from Mount Vernon,” Small said.
Once Small arrived at Findlay, he realized that the University’s S.T.R.I.D.E club was similar to his experiences and opportunities in high school but was more geared to those with disabilities rather than at-risk kids.
After sustaining an injury which ended his football career after his freshman year, he found himself with a lot more free time. He decided to take on mentoring again and decided to start CMCCC.
Students who join CMCCC receive information about a potential mentee, which includes their age, what their home life is like and interests they have. From there, students choose if the child would be a good match for them, who will then become their mentee. The student’s job is then to be someone that the mentee can rely on for help, guidance and comfort.
CMCCC also holds events that mentors and mentees can attend. On March 23 and 24, CMCCC held a bowling event where the mentors along with their mentees could bowl for free.
“Mr. Andy Smyth, he is my (club) advisor now,” Small said. “He reached out to me before I even got ahold of an advisor.”
Small feels as though he has received a lot of support when it comes to starting and growing CMCCC.
CMC of Hancock County was extremely grateful that he created CMCCC.
“Made it very easy,” Small said. “Have been tremendously helpful.”
Lauren Lenhart, social media manager for CMCCC was also involved in mentoring during her junior and senior years in high school. Upon arriving at the University, Lenhart was looking through a list of clubs and organizations at UF and during that search, she found Children’s Mentoring Connection.
Volunteers at CMC must be 18 years-old or older, display maturity, and meet several other requirements. Lenhart met these requirements which allowed her to take on this new-found opportunity.
“I missed interacting with the kids and was happy I found an opportunity to continue to be a role model to children who need one,” Lenhart said.
Lenhart is a pharmacy major and would like to go into pediatric pharmacy. Volunteering and being involved with CMC was a way for her to really build a foundation of working with kids and solidify the fact that pediatrics is the field of pharmacy that she wants to go into.
“Because I was already involved with CMC I got added to an email chain for CMCCC which explained when the first meeting was going to be,” Lenhart said.
Lenhart is now the club’s social media chair.
“I create posts on Instagram about upcoming meetings, events, and pictures of mentors interacting with their mentees, Lenhart said. “Our Instagram is @uf_cmccc.”
If someone is interested in becoming involved with Children’s Mentoring Connection Campus Champions, Small advises them to find him on campus or send him an email at smallw@findlay.edu to get an application.
“If you see me on campus,” Small said. “I carry applications with me all the time.”
After filling out the application, students can return the application directly to Small or they can scan the document and email it to him.
