Looking for SMART seniors to mentor

Mark Twain is credited with a statement that has a great deal of relevance today for seniors who have raised teenagers.

It went something like this — when I was 14 years old, I could not believe how stupid my old man was, and when I was 21, I could not believe how much the old guy learned in seven years.

In other words, seniors have a wisdom that can benefit young persons, but they may not appreciate it until they gain some wisdom themselves.

Caledon Community Services (CCS) is now beginning a volunteer mentoring program that has the potential to put life into Mark Twain's statement right here in Caledon. The SMART program is the acronym for Seniors Mentoring Adolescents via the Retail Trade.

CCS is looking for senior volunteers to mentor students while they both work together to improve the operations of the agency's two retail operations, Chez Thrift and the ReUstore. The plan would be for each to do hands-on work in the stores, plus strategizing for their improved functioning. And we all know that while that occurs, there will be many opportunities for sharing and learning. That's the whole point.

If you are interested in this dynamic program, please contact Michelle Stubbs, Manager of Volunteer and Community Relations at CCS. She can be contacted at (905) 951-2300 or (905) 584-9460 ext 211.

Rick Ampleford, SMART Volunteer Program Lead,

Caledon Community Services