RUTLAND – Over 300 community leaders joined mentor matches from across Rutland County to raise money for mentoring. The 13th Annual Mentor Bowl, held Saturday, Jan. 25, included a basket raffle, silent auction, music, food, and bowling, and raised $41,000 for The Mentor Connector.
This money, a 50% increase over last year’s goal, will directly support over 200 vulnerable youth across the county by providing high-quality, one-on-one mentors.
“We are thrilled to have the support of Wells Fargo as the title sponsor and so many local businesses and organizations who fundraised for this event,” said Chris Hultquist, executive director.
“When you look at everything young people face these days, often there are kids that need mentoring, food or just a place to be appreciated,” said Briana Curran, vice president of communications and community relations, New England, Well Fargo. “The Mentor Connector delivers this support each and every day for Rutland County youth and Wells Fargo is proud to support their work as mentoring is one of the most effective programs to transform the lives of youth.”
In Rutland County, 3,100 youth are growing up without a supportive mentor. Due to the recent rise in foster care placements and the generational cycle of opioid abuse, The Mentor Connector currently has 45 youth on its waitlist. Mentoring, at its core, guarantees young people that there is someone who cares about them, assures them that they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges, and makes them feel like they matter. Research confirms that quality mentoring relationships have powerful positive effects on young people in an array of personal, academic, and professionals situations.
Our highly skilled mentors use fun, teachable moments to transform each youth’s life narrative. Every day we see the transformation from instability to hope.
Each one-on-one mentor match uses an individualized program to enhance social, emotional, academic, and workforce development skills. This combination establishes goals and builds a network of support around each youth that remains a stable part of the youth’s life.
But we can’t do it alone. Join us to create a community where every youth has a sense of purpose, passion and belonging.
For more information visit MentorConnector.com.
