Mentoring meeting Friday offers opportunities

After Amy Filler-Katz’s youngest child went off to college, she wanted to do something to give back to the community.

Amy Filler-Katz

A clinical study nurse coordinator in the UNMC College of Medicine, Filler-Katz found her niche when she joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands.

“It is really rewarding,” Filler-Katz said.

And in the four-plus years she’s been in the program. Filler-Katz has really come to appreciate her little sister.

“She has a challenging life, but I try to remain constant for her. I don’t judge and I try to weave educational opportunities into our outings,” she said. “She’s really acquired a taste for Indian food and sushi!”

Filler-Katz hopes to spark an interest in volunteering as a mentor among a few co-workers who she invited to attend the MENTOR Nebraska breakfast taking place from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 1, in the Sorrell Center, Room 4053. The event is open to any member of the med center community who might be interested in learning more about mentorship.

Filler-Katz said some people might think volunteering as a mentor is a daunting task or don’t know how to get into a volunteer program.

Yet, it’s easier than people realize, she said.

For example, when Filler-Katz signed up for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, the organization provided the necessary training and matched her with a little sister — “we are a perfect match.”

The organization only requires a minimum time commitment of four hours a month and even provides organized activities that brings together other Big Sisters and their little sisters.

Filler-Katz said she spends about eight hours a week with her little sister. Twice a month, she takes part in group activities with her little sister, and twice a month, they do other things like visit museums, play board games together, or outdoor activities when the weather is nice.

“We also do a lot of baking together, because she has trouble with math — and baking, which she loves to do, requires her to practice her math skills,” Filler-Katz said.

Mentoring, Filler-Katz said, is something that makes you a better person.

“It opens up your eyes to some of the difficulties and challenges out there and makes you more empathetic to others needs. You make a huge impression on a child and sometimes you don’t realize it until much later,” she said.