"I was a stranger and you invited me in." Matt 25:35
Who invites a stranger in? What motivates people to take that chance? How does it work out for them?
Ask the mentors of Bridge of Hope BuxMont.
Mentors come from all walks of life. They choose to join with others from their church who welcome a single homeless mother and family into their lives as a friend and as family.
"I wanted to help" is the reason that most mentors give for getting involved in the first place. Often coming from lives of plenty, they want to share with others as a demonstration of God's love. A few mentors have been where these women are and want to make a difference in someone else's life.
Mentors baby-sit, give rides to anywhere and everywhere, go out for Girls' Lunch Out, spend time together over the holidays, have movie nights, help with moving and cleaning, talk on the phone, and sometimes joyfully hug a police officer over a participant's passed driver's test.
It is the mentor's task to become involved in the world of the participant as a friend. "It was strange at first," said Nancy Hundley, Haws Ave. UM, "like a whole different culture, a little bit of a shock." The participant's world opens the mentor's eyes to new truth of their own worldview and experiences. Lori Groff , Zion Mennonite, said, "I realized that my lifestyle is a minority in the world. There are many people who do not have what I have." Another mentor commented on the bounty in her life, "I have so much." Tanya Neuman , Zion Mennonite, began to understand the importance and preciousness of her own support network. "You can't just get up one day and decide to change without a support network to help you. I appreciate my husband more now."
Mentors learn that these women who have already been through so much are strong and capable. Ruth commented about a participant and mother of five, "She is incredible. I expected to be needed more." Mentors learn to step back patiently and allow the participant's needs, strength and process direct the relationship. "I learned to be more patient", said Mary Alice Law, Haws Ave. UM.
In the end, it is the friendships that are formed that stand out and last beyond the participant's graduation from the program. "She is more independent and confident now", said Lori of the continued friendship. "She doesn't need as much support from us." Mary Alice is happy to say that she has a long-time friend. "We go out for lunch, spent time together at Christmas and she comes and helps us at our church events. She has helped me out several times and given me rides to work."
Isn't that the point? Single homeless mothers and their families moving towards greater self-sufficiency with the help of a group of mentors and staff while developing lasting friendships for a long time to come. In closing, Lori summarized it beautifully, "It is a win-win situation. The participant benefits and mentors also benefit."