Getting down to business at the first full-blown meeting of the What’s Next? year, mentees and mentors tackled the crucial topic of Goal Setting last Saturday (Sept. 15). It’s a mind-clearing, mind-focusing exercise to work on articulating some perspective on one’s future. Goals ranged from going to college, moving out on one’s own, mastering the use of public transportation, getting a scholarship, getting better grades, learning a new skill, becoming more independent, getting a job, taking charge of my finances, building good friendships, volunteering to help with something I believe in, go new places, go on a date, improve my social life, learn to drive – well, you get the idea.

Great goals, and great discussion.

We had a visitor, too. Rep. Susan Davis, one of our local members of Congress, dropped by to see our program in action. Rep. Davis has introduced a bill in Congress to promote and fund more mentoring programs in the nation. She got a good look at what we (somewhat immodestly) think is one of the best – certainly the best in terms of the mentees and mentors who participate.

Labor Day already! Summer draws to a close.
What’s Next?
The What’s Next? Mentoring Program is gearing up again. Orientation for new participants is set for Saturday, September 8. And our first full meeting of the new year is planned for Saturday, September 15 at the Indoor Sports Club. We’re looking forward to seeing all the mentees and mentors again as we head into a great new year.

The day was sunny and warm. Mentees and mentors gathered outside the main gate of SeaWorld San Diego, picked up their entry pass (THANK YOU, SEAWORLD!!), and bottled water and headed inside. After hearing a presentation from SeaWorld Human Resources personnel about employment opportunities, the gang clustered together for a group photo (see cover page), then broke up into small assigned bands to enjoy the park. More photos on the photo gallery.

Whew! Who knew that Dating & Relationships would be such a popular topic? Just about everyone was there for this one. After lunch of great Chinese food (yeah, we know, the almond cookies sucked), we broke up into groups to talk about our experiences in this minefield-laden area. Mentors and mentees shared stories, and most of us picked up some pointers (if not good pickup lines!). One thing was sure: we came nowhere near to exhuasting this sizzler of a topic. It will be back on the agenda soon.

OK, last time we cooked. Now we're spending a day in beautiful Balboa Park. We gathered at noon by the broad Reflecting Pool near the Prado for a sandwich lunch. Then we broke up into groups of two pairs of mentees and mentors to explore on our own. We hit the Fleet Space museum, the Museum of Photographic Arts, the Mingei, the Art Institute of the Living Artist, the Auto Museum, and more. Everybody seemed to have a great time and some even made plans to return.

Good eats was the order of the day at the regular What's Next? meeting on Saturday on Jan. 20, 2007. The Top Chef from Dinner Studio set up a cooking line and everyone had the opportunity to build their own single-serving pizza. Then mentors Jen, Cathy and Rusty gave presentations on nutrition, shopping, cooking and accessible cooking gadgets.