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Companions for Children in Minot is seeking additional volunteers as it launches a new mentoring program for children whose parents are battling cancer.
According to Companions for Children, children whose parents are diagnosed with cancer have increased anxiety and depression. They also are filled with numerous cancer-related questions. The new program aims to broaden the support to those children by providing them with a one-on-one mentoring relationship.
"The program idea was brought to us by the Trinity Health Foundation," said Heather Cymbaluk, Companions for Children's executive director. "They identified the need for additional support for families who are going through their cancer journey."
SandPro LLC, which had been looking for a way to support Companions for Children, came on board with a donation and the long-term commitment to make a launch possible.
"As someone who has benefited from Companions for Children’s mentorship, I fully understand the life-changing impact that this organization has on young minds," said Jake Feil, CEO at SandPro. "That’s why SandPro selected Companions for Children to be the beneficiary of proceeds collected because of the Bakken Bag Fest tournament this past February. Additionally, we have made a commitment to extend our support to their new program, specifically for children whose parents are undergoing cancer treatment. The Companions for Children team is devoted to helping local kids in every possible way, and as a locally owned and operated business, SandPro takes pride in being a part of this great cause."
In developing the program, Companions for Children is working closely with experts in the medical field and community members.
"It is important to obtain the knowledge and expertise of those who work closely with those impacted by cancer and those with first-hand experiences as we develop the program policies and procedures," Cymbaluk said.
Companions for Children is looking for volunteers interested in mentoring a child when the program moves to the pilot stage later this year. Having a personal experience with cancer will be a requirement for mentors. Interested individuals can contact Companions for Children at 838-5784 for more information.
Youth between the ages of 6 and 16 who have a parent with cancer are eligible to participate. Enrollment information is available by contacting Companions for Children.
The pilot program will start with no more than 10 mentor relationships and will depend on feedback of participants as it is further developed and implemented, Cymbaluk said.
To its knowledge, Companions for Children will be only the third organization in the United States to have a mentoring program for children of parents with cancer. However, there are standards for mentoring programs already in place that are useful in developing a program, Cymbaluk said.
"A lot of what we are implementing in this program is research-based," she said.
A social work student from Minot State University who is interning with Companions for Children has been working on the program's development since January. The program will operate similarly to the mentorship program the organization has offered in Minot since 1972, with additional pieces to address its specific focus. Mentors receive training and are expected to connect weekly with the youth - a minimum of four hours per month of one-on-one time.
"We're going to be providing additional mental health support pieces, such as crisis, grief and response training, therapy activities, support groups and some other key elements," Cymbaluk added.
Companions for Children in Minot has a track record of successfully implementing new programs, such as Lunch Pals in 2017 and Pen Pals during the pandemic in 2020. Companions for Children currently provides mentors to more than 100 children in the community.