Author Archives: kellyfairthementor

The Spirit of Giving

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I recently accepted an invitation to appear on the web-based forum, “Speak To Truth with Carl West”. During the conversation, the Mr. West was surprised when I mentioned my current volunteer work with organizations outside of Polished Pebbles. Though there seems to be a huge struggle among organizations over resources and funding, I choose to operate under the belief that there is enough to go around. And, after so many people have donated their time, energy and knowledge in assisting with the development of Polished Pebbles, it is only right to continue to pay it forward and help others. It was with this in mind that this blog space was created.

I love my community unconditionally.  And I enjoy working with others who feel the same because sustainable community efforts require community ownership in order to make an impact.  Creating a framework in which community members are engaged takes a great deal of effort and commitment, but I’d rather share my knowledge with those interested in stepping into the youth mentoring arena, than for them to learn the hard way.

Continuous giving aids in the cultivation of  relationships and opportunities. So as I share my experiences, I look forward to hearing back from you.  Please feel free to ask questions, as this is an interactive medium. For extensive inquiries or consultation, please contact me at kfair@polishedpebbles.com.

The Motivation To Give Back

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During the Polished Pebbles volunteer orientation, we asked our volunteers to share their motivation for volunteering. There were a wide range of responses, but one thing that held true was the lasting affect of a supportive mentor relationship. Through these relationships a few of our volunteers  witnessed the significance of building linkages within the community, as well as empowering  today’s youth.  As you view the video,  think about what skills and talents you have to offer your community and the lasting affect you could have as a mentor. Please feel free to leave a comment sharing what it is that motivates you to give back.

Join Me: Polished Pebbles Bowling Event

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I would like to thank Chicago’s Young and Powerful’s for including me in their “Harold Washington Speaks” series. My presentation was called “It’s All About Love”  regarding the importance of love in solving the problems with youth violence in Chicago. There is a lack of love in our community and we need to address it, be that as mentors, politicians, philanthropists, or community members.

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Next on the calendar, I would like to invite you to the annual Polished Pebbles bowling event for all ages.

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When: Saturday, October 12, 2013
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm
Where: Tinley Park Bowl
7601 W. 183rd St
Tinley Park, IL 60477
Cost per person: $10 includes ($4 for food only)
Includes:
Shoe rental, 2 games of bowling, 1slice of pizza, and unlimited beverages
Drop-off/Pick-up Location
Chicago Urban League
4510 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60653
Drop-of Time 9:30am
Pick-up Time: 12:30pm    

You are welcome to bring girls on the trip with you however, everyone must RSVP to info@polishedpebbles.com by Wednesday, October 9, 2013.

The Art Of Being A Great Mentor

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IMG_9227Polished Pebbles recently held a volunteer orientation for those interested in working with us this year.  And I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in attendance for their energy and commitment. Volunteers and mentors are an important ingredient in the work we do. In order to successfully impact the lives of the girls in our programs, it’s necessary to enlist the talents and skills of a broad pool of individuals who are just as enthusiastic about our mission as we are.

Being a mentor doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be a perfect person, but rather that you’re willing to guide and counsel with the compassion needed to make a difference.  According to a piece in the magazine Psychology Today, there are six things essentials to being a great mentor:

1. Be supportive.

2. Be an active listener.

3. Set realistic expectations that push them just enough outside of their comfort zone.

4. Have a genuine interest in the individual.

5. Encourage self-decision making.

6. Offer your perspective.

To read more on the six mentor essentials, please visit Psychology Today by clicking on the title of the magazine.

Join Me: Harold Washington Speaks

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1234721_10202231136520171_1807719954_nInspiration and wisdom can derive from just about anywhere; and a reflective look at the past can be very enlightening. Mayor Harold Washington was a master politician, word smith, coalition builder, and all around legend. Recently, I was asked to participate in a panel discussion giving honor to his legacy. While researching his career, I was reminded of just how amazing Mayor Washington was as a leader and speaker (as evidenced in the interview below). I would like to invite you to join me on Thursday, September 26th at 6:00p.m. at this free event hosted by Chicago’s Young and Powerful as we discuss the topic of social change and its impact on our city.

What: Harold Washington Speaks Series hosted by Chicago’s Young and Powerful

When: Thursday, September 26th at 6:00p.m.

Where: 1647 S. Blue Island  It’s Free To The Public!!!!Come join me!

For more information please visit youngandpowerful.org or ypharoldspeaks.eventbrite.com

“Lady K In Waiting” Welcome To Kelly Fair The Mentor!

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k in waiting

For the last four years, with Polished Pebbles, I have been empowering girls throughout Chicagoland to find their voices by equipping them with effective communications skills, providing access to proper mentors, and exposure to powerful life experiences. It has been an awesome experience to reach over 500 girls with the assistance of numerous organizations, businesses, and hundreds of volunteers and supporters.  But, perhaps what’s been most amazing for me is the opportunity I’ve had to grow right along with the girls, personally and professionally. I often share with the girls that a big of part of my drive in starting Polished Pebbles lies in the truth that I too was a shy girl, and it took me until I got to college to really unleash my leadership abilities, and build my confidence.

I had a personal mentor of mine who always impressed upon me that “we’re always teaching, and we’re always learning.” I’ve had lots of growing pains building Polished Pebbles, and finding my voice in this new venture has been a journey.  But, I’ve come to realize now that we’ve learned a lot in creating Polished Pebbles and growing it from a single site group mentoring program with less than 20 mentors and only 2 girls at our first monthly meeting, to a program that has served 500 girls through 15 program sites serving University of Chicago Charter Schools, Chicago Public Schools, and the Chicago Housing Authority.  I feel impelled and that it’s my responsibility to our communities to share some of what we’ve grown through during this Polished Pebbles experience; this will include strategies that we’ve learned, and knowledge gained from staff, volunteers, partners, and of course our girls.

Every Thursday, you can expect a weekly update to this blog, “Kelly Fair The Mentor” including:

  • Encouragement and support in realizing the role each of us can play in impacting our youth
  • Tips and strategies on strengthening mentoring efforts in your communities
  • Insight from our rock-star staff, volunteers, and families, and of course our girls!

As I continue to grow and develop along with Polished Pebbles, I look forward to sharing the journey with you.

Sincerely,

Kelly

Worried About What You Have To Offer?

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2013 open houseA couple of weeks ago at our Polished Pebbles’ Open House for interested mentors and volunteers, over 50 women made the commitment to challenge themselves to declare at least one thing that they have to offer the Polished Pebbles girls, community, and organization. They participated in a 7-day social media challenge were they included things like:

Picture 13Quite often far too many of us feel ill equipped to tackle the issues in our community, but the reality is that we have everything that we need for healing and empowerment! So, join us and declare at least one thing today that you have to offer the Polished Pebbles community, or the girls or youth in your community!  Is it your commitment, positive attitude, marketing skills, fundraising skills? What do you have to offer? Please let us know below in the comments section.

If you’re interested in volunteering or mentoring with Polished Pebbles in Chicago, email us at info@polishedpebbles.com. Our next mentor/volunteer orientation will be September 28th from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. at the Chicago Urban League (4510 S. Michigan Avenue) or visit the Polished Pebbles page for more information http://www.polishedpebbles.com.

Interested in mentoring in other communities across the country, please check out databases of other mentoring programs at National CARES Mentoring Movement http://caresmentoring.org/.

Mentor Moment: I Was Here

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“I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of time

Know there was something that, meant something that I left behind

When I leave this world, I’ll leave no regrets

Leave something to remember, so they won’t forget. I was here…”

Sometimes I like to start my session playing the melodic Beyonce tune “I Was Here,” not because Bey knows how to get the party started, but to remind the girls that our legacies begin here and now in Polished Pebbles discovering, defining, and delivering our voices to the rest of the world.

When I tell people I work for a girls mentoring program they often think I’m some type of crusader equipped with nail polish, friendship bracelets, unlimited relationship advice, and a pink cape.  That idea could not be further from the truth. I‘m actually just a south side girl with tons of flaws, and not nearly enough “right” answers, icebreakers, or time to achieve every objective. I’m sure if you ask any of my “pebbles,” colleagues, or interns they will all have something different to say because everyone has a different perspective as to what Polished Pebbles is all about.

To understand the Polished Pebbles organization you must first understand the name.  The name Polished Pebbles is inspired by a quote from Susan Taylor, Editor Emeritus of Essence Magazine’s last book, All About Love, were she talks about the strength of relationships propelling our personal growth. The quote is, “Like pebbles in a bag we all polish one another.” And polishing one another is truly what we do.  When I say polish, I don’t mean adorning the girls with pencil skirts and pearls, but empowering them to be bold and fearless change agents. Changing what and how they communicate to the world first and taking what they have learned back to their classmates, families, and communities.  School administrators and parents are some of the first to notice the changes in our students so developing and maintaining substantial relationships with school administrators and parents has been crucial to ensuring the success of our girls.  Also, if we are going to be honest, I’m on a journey of self-discovery alongside the girls. Everyday that I work with the girls I’m teaching them to discover their voices, and I am undoubtedly fine-tuning my own voice and better understanding my strengths and weaknesses. Trust me, there is nothing like a 7th grader helping you take a self- assessment to understand what you are not good at.

I met Kelly a year ago and decided to join the Polished Pebbles team. I immediately knew I was joining a “different” type of team. While sitting in Kelly’s very pink office she began pouring into me the confidence to share my personal story with my students. The reality is that no one wants to be vulnerable, not even with a 7 year old. However, being an authentic leader required me to share my own insecurities, failures, and triumphs. Those hours with Kelly helped me to understand that asserting my personal power meant telling my story.  Kelly and I have had more Iyanla moments that I can count and as a result, I was polished professionally and given opportunities to hone my grant writing and partnership development skills when others had not given me that opportunity.  These experiences were not just my experiences but it is the Polished Pebbles experience. It wasn’t just about polishing the girls but about each and every one of us, students, staff, and volunteers included, leaving this experience better than when we came.

Slide1Chanta Williams graduated cum laude from Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Chanta serves as a Workshop Facilitator and Development Associate for the Polished Pebbles Girl’s Mentoring Program. She honed many of her development talents serving as a Junior Associate Intern at Lisa M. Dietlin and Associates non-profit consulting firm. Serving as an independent educational consultant she has assisted designing successful one on one peer-mentoring program for the Chicago Scholars, designing and implementing curriculum for various Chicago area college access and youth programs.