Hi mtbdarby -

Thanks for being the one that didn't let my lonely thread die. Thanks for checking out the vMentor website. It looks impressive and seems to be a great opportunity, and I'm thinking it is in many cases. But not mine.

I've kept track of the messages since I was matched with a 16 year old foster child. She sent 1 message early on and then quit. I've sent 17 messages. It's just like sitting in an empty room and talking to myself. I am required to send her a message once a week for two whole years. I'm a person of my word and I will fulfill my obligation.

I did ask the caseworker early on why the teen wasn't corresponding with me. The caseworker reminded the teen to write to me. I received one more message and then it stopped. I don't think this girl is in the program willingly. I think someone told her it would be good for her.

We are supposed to review and discuss life skills topics once a month. vMentor has never made these available to me during the 3 months I've been matched.

I could contact the caseworker again to ask her why the girl doesn't e-mail me, but begging turns me off.

I think the program is funded by grant money. I'm a warm body and the match is a warm match. We represent grant dollars even though the actual match is going nowhere.

The caseworker has direct access to the e-mails that enter and leave the portal. I find it interesting that they've said nothing to me about the girl's total lack of participation.

In fact, the e-mail I got from the caseworker yesterday was geared toward a match that is active and energetic. She obviously hasn't reviewed the list of e-mails to see that I'm the only one writing. She doesn't even know.

I was a Laubach Literacy tutor when I lived in Indy. I so wanted to help people learn to read, but that project withered and died as well.

Thanks for listening.

If the girl ever does start writing to me, I'll send an update.

Barb