National Mentoring Month 2013
It's National Mentoring Month. Thanks to everyone who mentors, you are making a real difference in individuals lives! Here are ways you can you make a difference this month or take action to become a mentor:
mentor
Daily Point of Light #4558 Maria Machado
Maria Machado works with a community much in need of mentors. She serves as part of the Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents, which is a site-based mentoring program designed to build the academic confidence and social skills of children ages 8–16 whose parents are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated. Often these young people feel ashamed and are in need of a caring adult to support them.
Daily Point of Light #4341, John Leinart
John Leinart has served on the board of directors of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley for more than 10 years.
During his service, John has served as a Big Brother to three young men. He has also engaged his family in the mentoring experience, including his wife, two daughters, and his 87 year old father.
Leinart is a leader that does not hesitate to lead by example. In his capacity as Director of Human Resources for Deere & Company, John has coordinated volunteer recruitment activities that have recruited over 100 adult mentors for children in his community.
Daily Point of Light #4335, Virgil Sanford
Virgil Sanford is a volunteer’s volunteer because he serves his community in several ways. He volunteers four to five days a week at the Victory Baptist Church. The church pastor says Virgil is "one awesome volunteer” because Virgil volunteers about 900 hours a year at the Church. He takes care of everything from plumbing repairs and building projects to classroom painting.
Daily Point of Light #4284, Lou Nelson
Imagine a program that brings together the victim of a crime, the perpetrator and the impacted community to solve local challenges brought about by crime.
Lou Nelson volunteers for such a program in River Falls, Wisconsin. The St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program(SCVRJP), engages community members to be active particpants in a healing process.
Lou has made a significant impact as a resource to the executive director and board of directors at SCVRJP. Lou helps screen and hire new staff, supports office procedures, edits documents and consults strategically with the director.
Daily Point of Light #4281, Erin Mankus
Denise Perez is barely a teenager, yet her life is already full of adult sized challenges. Every day she watches her mom try to cope with depression, her older sister, a teenager as well, dropped out of high school and is already the mother of two. She shares a small bedroom with five other family members in a small house in a rough section of San Antonio.
There aren’t many people who wouldn’t forgive Denise for giving up hope. But, Erin Mankus is not one of those people. Erin has been Denise’s “Big Sister” for the past six years through Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas.
Daily Point of Light #4332, Maryella Morley
Maryella Morley is a volunteer who assists women in transition. She helps women achieve goals in various fields, including higher education, career advancement, financial self-sufficiency, and small business ownership.
She addresses a very important community need. By assisting women with decreased life and social skills, lack of education, and underemployed circumstances, she has helped them achieve their own goals to provide not only for themselves but also for their families.
