By Kate Frisbie, Volunteer Columnist, United Way of Chittenden County Volunteer Center
The Burlington Free Press
April 6th, 2009

Joanne LaBrake-Muehlberger and Howard Muehlberger began their volunteer mentor position with two goals: have fun and make their mentee feel special.

During the last four years, they have achieved both and gone above and beyond expectations. Community Friends Mentoring at the Howard Center matched the married couple with Scott and the trio quickly bonded as they went rollerblading, ice skating and biking. They have seen shows at the Flynn, had movie nights at home and visited the library. Scott’s sister, who has been waiting for a mentor for two years, sometimes joins the fun and the weekly dates are easy and enjoyable.
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“I like so much of it,” Joanne LaBrake-Muehlberger said. “I really look forward to seeing Scottie; he’s such a neat kid.”

LaBrake-Muehlberger said it’s special to be able to focus just on the 11-year-old during their visits, listen to his stories, and watch him grow. “He’s so easy to be with and open to anything.”

Ptarmigan Abbott, Community Friends Mentoring AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, said the couple’s love of children is easy to see.

“Joanne and Howard have given their buddy the gift of time,” she said. “The caring, undivided attention they have provided has helped build a very strong relationship.”

A recent Flynn Theater presentation of Cirque Eloize was a highlight for Scott and his sister. LaBrake-Muehlberger said Scott was speechless as he watched the show in awe. “I do like showing him things he might not ever see; that is special,” she said.

The couple began mentoring Scott around the time they were married four years ago. They both wanted to give back and wanted to share the experience. “It never occurred to us not to do it together,” LaBrake-Muehlberger said.

She enjoys being able to add to Scott’s support system. “It’s important for people to realize how much you can do with a couple hours a week for a young person,” she said. “One more person to share and support them outside of their family” can be so beneficial.

LaBrake-Muehlberger’s sister in Florida has even become attached to Scott and mentors from afar. She met him and his sister during a holiday visit and ever since remembers them on birthdays and Christmas.

“We get a tremendous amount back,” LaBrake-Muehlberger said. “He has made us feel very special. It’s interesting the way it’s turned around.” Kate Frisbie, volunteer columnist, United Way of Chittenden County Volunteer Center.

Source URL: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009904060320

Links:
[1] Community Friends Mentoring

Tags: AmeriCorps, Burlington Free Press, chittenden county, Community Friends, HowardCenter, Mentoring, united way, Volunteering