Kim Sugarman is the little sister in her own family, but there’s no doubt that she is seen as the big sister by the girls she has mentored at Villa Maria. She has been a Villa Maria residential mentor since being matched to her first child in February 2007. Although this child was discharged in June 2007, Kim continues to maintain contact and still plans occasional visits with her former Villa Maria mentee. Matched with her second mentee since July 2007, Kim visits her weekly at Villa Maria’s Residential Treatment Center located in Timonium, Maryland.

Lisa Morris, a Unit Director at the treatment center says Kim has been doing wonderful work with her mentee. She explains, “The child looks forward to Kim 's visits and encouragement. As this child works through past trauma and difficult issues she is influenced by Kim's positive words and consistent support. This child has had very limited positive role models. Kim provides hope, positive role modeling, and support while teaching the child interpersonal relationship skills, optimism, and that people do care. The impact her mentoring I am sure will continue to make a difference in this child's life.

Kim describes her current mentee as “creative, outgoing and thoughtful,” and those who know Kim might say the same thing about her. Kim has a knack for keeping her visits creative and fun even when they are restricted to the unit or must occur on grounds. Once when her mentee was off unit restriction, but still not allowed off grounds, Kim thought of an alternative regarding their plans for going to a movie. She brought her portable DVD player, hooked it up through her car speaker system, and reclined the seats so that she and her mentee could enjoy their own movie theatre right in her “theatre car” on Villa Maria’s premises.

In addition to the attributes of being creative and fun, Kim responded to the question of what she thinks ensures a successful mentoring relationship with listing qualities such as dependability, consistency, good listening skills, and patience. She explains that her greatest challenge has been working through the struggles of her mentee being unit restricted for scheduled mentoring visits. Working through these issues takes patience, but mentors like Kim understand that dependability and consistency are a must at all times. Her mentee trusts that each and every week Ms. Kim will arrive prepared for a mentoring visit, even if it must occur on the unit.

Kim understands that it is the unconditional visiting time that is the true gift of a mentoring relationship. She explains, “Being a mentor makes a significant difference in these children’s lives. They were dealt a rough hand, but we can help make it better. They really benefit from the one-on-one interaction.” Once when Kim was watching her mentee at a choir practice it became obvious that her mentee felt proud to have her mentor’s presence with the group. The one-on-one bond elicited a proud moment for both mentor and mentee as this child was able to demonstrate some leadership with children who weren’t listening. “My mentee was being a little angel, doing everything the instructor asked and even trying to keep the other kids focused.”

Early on in her first mentoring relationship, Kim realized that including her dog Maddie might introduce another interest for her mentee. Kim submitted the required paperwork to the Mentor Office and since that time Maddie has been an occasional visitor seen around the Villa. Maddie once spent a whole mentor visit just lying on her mentee’s lap. Everyone was all smiles and Maddie was one happy dog!

“It’s obvious that Kim’s determination to keep things interesting, be creative, have fun, and tackle challenges makes her the model big sister any child would be glad to have as a mentor. The Ambrose staff always has something positive to say about Kim,” says Carol Shear, Director of Development & Volunteer Services.

 

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