Bolder Options: Changing Lives in the Twin Cities

February 26, 2024

by Frandsen Marketing Team

Bolder Options, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1993 and continues to impact the Twin Cities area. Their approach is simple but effective. Recently, Darrell Thompson, the President of Bolder Options, sat down with Jay McDougall, Corporate Marketing Manager of Frandsen Financial, to discuss their organization and its impact.

Bolder Options is an organization that strongly believes in providing positive role models to young people. As Darrell Thompson puts it, "We offer a variety of opportunities for you to be involved in a young person's life. Your guidance and influence can significantly impact the life of your mentee."

Jay McDougall inquired about the process for mentees to participate in Bolder Options. Mr. Thompson replied that most of their mentees are referred to them by social workers or school counselors. In some cases, younger siblings of previous participants who have seen the program's positive impact and enjoyable activities also join. The age range of mentees ranges from 10 to 14.

Mr. Thompson mentioned that children who enroll in the program usually complete it within a year. However, he also explained that sometimes life events can occur, and their timeline for graduation may be extended. If a child meets the necessary completion requirements, the team holds a celebration to start transitioning them to the alumni network. Thompson also noted that more than 90% of the graduates choose to join the alumni network to continue their journey.

When asked about the relationship between the mentee and mentor, Darrell Thompson stated that it doesn't necessarily have to end after the program is completed. He mentioned that in about 70% of cases, the mentor continues to stay in touch with the mentee, indicating the mentors' significant impact on these kids. The guidance and support provided by mentors never really stop and continue to benefit the mentees long after the program ends.

Thompson was asked about his strategy to encourage people to participate in the program. He responded, “We provide you with engaging activities and events to participate in with your mentee. We strive to make our sessions fun for the kids and emphasize the importance of exercise and setting goals. Our program's foundation provides the necessary resources to succeed right from the beginning.”

Thompson continued, "If you are looking for a chance to contribute to the betterment of your community, we have an exciting opportunity for you. You could participate as a mentor, board member, volunteer, or simply as an advocate for our organization. Our goal is to raise awareness about our work, and we welcome individuals who would like to join our team and make a positive impact."

Frandsen's core values include providing support to local communities. We aim to be responsible corporate citizens by taking action and building relationships that benefit our communities. Bolder Options is an organization that aligns with our vision, and we are excited to support it. Bolder Options has a location in Rochester, MN, which is conveniently situated near Pine Island and the Zumbrota branch. If you want to learn more about their program, please refer to the resources below.

https://www.bolderoptions.org/?wix-vod-video-id=7e78889678794848a87c3ad004f34848&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-jwaxxuir4
https://www.bolderoptions.org/be-a-mentor
https://www.bolderoptions.org/refer-a-mentee
https://www.bolderoptions.org/about-us

Bolder Options: Changing Lives in the Twin Cities

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