Have you heard about the
Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) Peer Mentoring
Program? MCIL matches a mentee with a disability to a mentor
with a disability. Pairs are chosen based on the mentee’s
goals. For example, if a mentee wants to start riding the Metro
Transit buses, they could be matched with a mentor who is familiar
with the local transit system. Matching prospects can be time
consuming, but definitely worth the effort.
Corbett Laubignat, Peer Mentoring Coordinator, describes the mentor-mentee
relationship as generally a win-win situation. Mentors enjoy giving
back to their community, and mentees reach their dreams. Peer mentoring
has helped MCIL mentees to enjoy social functions, improve computer
skills, communicate clearly, and attain more independence.
Both mentees and mentors receive
training about Peer Mentoring. The last mentor training was on April
8th, held at a Minnesota State Council on Disability Town Hall Meeting.
Ms. Laubignat testified about her experiences with Minnesota transport
systems. The mentors learned about self-advocacy by watching the
testimonies of Ms. Laubignat and others. The next mentee training
will be held in May.
Many mentees work on social
goals. MCIL provides social activities to help create a strong network,
and anyone is welcome to attend. The next MCIL Social Night will
be on Tuesday, May 27th. Party goers can pick from activities like
watching a movie, eating pizza, or playing on a computer. Attending
an event could be a great way to discover more about MCIL. ![end of story]()
The Peer Mentoring Program
has room for new mentees and mentors. For more information about
the program, go to www.mcil-mn.org or contact Corbett Laubignat:
corbettl@mcil-mn.org
