"50 who need it now" - The Giving and Learning Program in 56572

At the ‘Lost Boys of Sudan’ filming at the local library last Thursday, a special speaker asked for volunteers – one hour a week. The front cover of the folder says:

Mentoring New Americans to Succeed.
The Giving + Learning Program Pelican Rapids
A mentor is a wise and trusted friend and guide.
“…serves as a link connecting volunteer mentors with new Americans.
Mentors are asked to give one hour a week to help a new American adult with his/her English.”

This really interested me.
The pad passed around to sign ‘if you are at all interested for yourself or for someone else’ brought a phone call the next week. From experience, you know that one hour takes time before and after, but she said, “Some do it on their lunch hour!!”
You can meet your ‘new American’ at the library. “Any Wednesday you will find several couples of mentor/immigrant.” When asked what category or age would interest me, “Somali, Hispanic are the ones in need right now”, I said it made no difference for me.
“Well, you can have anyone you want. I have 50 who need it now.” The plan is that you become long time friends. One lady enjoyed her hour so much she asked for a second person for a second hour. The local director is Julie Morgan.
This intrigues me.
Marguerite