Mentorship: A Two-way Street

The concept of mentorship has been a part of human history for nearly perhaps as long as humanity itself has existed.

He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. -Psalm 78:5-7

Mentorship is the foundation of generational development and the cornerstone of modern civilization. It is also an important part of what makes us human. Not only are wisdom, trades and skills passed on through the guidance of mentorship, but also invaluable elements like faith, tolerance and empathy. The mentee indeed has much to gain from the mentor, but one must also keep in mind that it is a mutually beneficial relationship.

Take a moment to consider a mentor you have had during your life, whether it was in the classroom, a professional setting or your personal pursuits. Isn’t it fascinating to consider that you may have had as profound of an effect on them as they had on you? Perhaps you enlightened them with a new way to teach the given subject based on your particular learning style. You may have even reignited their passion for the subject in general! Whatever the case may be, mentorship is not always simply the transmission of information from one person to another—it can be a rich and fulfilling two-way relationship.

Another fascinating element of mentorship is the wide variety of places in which it can be found. Take the campus of an assisted and independent living community, for example. With the emergence of multigenerational living as a concept being employed in senior living, certain campuses and communities are helping mentor-mentee relationships between older and younger generations thrive. Essentially, multigenerational living entails multiple generations sharing the same spaces. A senior community and a K-12 school sharing a campus is a prime example of multigenerational living. Situations like these allow unexpected friendships and, better yet, mentor-style relationships to be forged. This provides a wonderful opportunity for those in their golden years to pass on lifetimes of wisdom and life experience to the younger generation.

multigenerational living benefits seniors, as well. According to Cheri Burcham of the University of Illinois Extension, “Older adults can also benefit from their interactions with youth. They too can learn new skills, like technology, and often feel rejuvenated and energized after spending time with young ones. The more time spent with each other can also bring greater understanding and appreciation of each generation—their beliefs, values, and behaviors.”

If you would like to learn more about a provider of senior living in Seattle offering multiple levels of service and care on a multigenerational campus, call CRISTA Senior Living today at (206) 546-7565 or contact us online.