Saturday, May 17, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.—RUTLAND — Community members, local businesses, and youth will gather at Rutland Bowlerama on May 17 for a day of bowling, music, and fundraising at The Mentor Connector’s 17th annual Mentor Bowl. With a galactic theme of “Mentoring is Out of This world,” this year’s event aims to raise $25,000 in support of youth mentoring and transitional living programs across Rutland County.
The Mentor Bowl, held at the Rutland Bowlerama, includes two bowling sessions at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., with teams of four or individual participants, who are encouraged to raise funds in advance. A minimum of $75 is required per person or $300 per team, which includes two rounds of bowling, shoe rental, a t-shirt, and access to the popular basket raffle and 50/50 drawing. Sunset Entertainment will provide music, and food will be available on-site.
Now in its 17th year, the Mentor Bowl is the signature fundraising event for The Mentor Connector, a nonprofit that provides one-on-one mentoring relationships and transitional living support to vulnerable youth in the region. Proceeds from the event will directly support mentoring outreach and case management programs, helping local youth build confidence, social skills, and life-long assets that foster long-term success.
Since its founding in 2004, The Mentor Connector has supported over 1,000 young people in western Vermont through mentoring programs emphasizing skill-building, goal-setting, and character development. The organization also works with schools and community partners to establish regional mentoring initiatives.
“The request for youth mentors continues to exceed our volunteer capacity,” said organizers. “With your support, we can expand our reach and provide even more opportunities for young people to thrive.”
In addition to mentoring, The Mentor Connector also operates a transitional living program (TLP), created in 2020, that offers housing, case management, and aftercare services for runaway and homeless youth ages 16 to 22. In 2023, 92% of TLP participants transitioned into permanent, stable housing.
Businesses, individuals, and organizations are invited to support the Mentor Bowl through sponsorships, team participation, volunteering, or donating raffle items. Community members are also encouraged to join the event’s development committee or lend a hand during the event itself.
To sign up, donate, or learn more, visit: mentorconnector.com/bowling. For questions or donations, email [email protected] or call (802) 775-3434.
