Prairie North Health Region's Parent Mentoring Program (PMP) is celebrating 15 years of service to mothers, fathers and children, supporting parents and families through the mentorship of volunteers and the guidance of program staff.
Fifteen years ago this fall, in 1996, the program's first parents and volunteer mentors were matched under what was then known as the Successful Mothers Support Program (SMSP). Today in Prairie North, SMSP under its new name, Parent Mentoring Program has grown to serve an average of approximately 40 families per year, has an average of about 35 volunteers each year, and provides on-site services in the Battlefords, Lloydminster and Meadow Lake. Service is also available in rural locations in Prairie North.
Co-ordinator Elaine Sonmor has been with the program from the start. She says she is thrilled to have been involved since its beginning and to have been part of the growth and development of the service aimed at supporting and strengthening families.
"It's been exciting to be part of the increased understanding of mentoring and the significant role it can play in providing support and promoting positive change for families," Sonmor said.
"Our society now realizes and accepts that if you support parents, it greatly impacts the positive health outcomes for them and their children. It is empowering, not enabling, to receive support, information and guidance from a volunteer mentor in the community."
Volunteers are an essential part of the program. Sonmor described PMP's volunteer mentors as "time donors with limitless potential for contributing energy and a world of skills. Our volunteer mentors expand the brain of our program, as well as its heart."
The volunteer mentor/parent 'match' is designed to last a minimum of one year, explained Sonmor, adding most matches extend past that time achieving a maximum impact for the families. Some parent participants have themselves become mentors after being recipients of the service, "paying it forward," Sonmor said.
The ongoing need remains for volunteers to provide mentoring. PMP mentors are screened, supervised, supported and recognized for their contributions.
Expectant and new parents can refer themselves to the program. Parent and family referrals can also be made by individuals and a variety of community agencies.
Sonmor said the Prairie North PMP program has also in recent months seen an increase in immigrant women participating in the program.
"It makes sense that women who are pregnant or parenting young children and who are unfamiliar with our communities, culture and systems will benefit from social supports and guidance."
While PMP's main focus is to provide mentoring to parents through the match with a volunteer, PMP support also takes place through group activities, connection to other community groups and from involvement with staff.
"This particularly benefits parents/families in the program who are yet unmatched. Some are waiting to be matched and some have been previously matched, concluded Sonmor.
