Family and Youth Initiatives wants to thank the whole community for all the letters of support, for the leadership of Mary Bower, for the youth who trusted enough to meet and share with an adult they did not know, and most of all for all the individuals and business persons who gave of their time and hearts to mentor many of our youth, some of whom have very challenging lives. The mentors trained and practiced—and by the end of October, they were ready to meet their youth. And it went amazing and by the time of the Christmas party, FYI knew this was the right way to work with our youth. When the grant ended this month, both the mentors and the youth had formed bonds that will last the rest of their lives.
AND TODAY, FAMILY AND YOUTH INITIATIVES WAS INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED A SECOND COMMUNITY CONNECTORS GRANT FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR!!
Dr. Lonny Rivera, Interim Superintendent of Public Education, Ohio Department of Education, wrote in the award letter, “Community Connectors intends to provide students with role models who can help motivate and inspire them, as well as help them develop skills that lead to success in school and the workplace. FYI’s program stood out as one that will have a long lasting impact on your students, mentors, and community.”
Pat Banaszak, Executive Director or FYI, was overwhelmed when the information came in. “We are so grateful to the State Board of Education for picking us again. We have seen the gains in both the students, but also in the business world, and in the community itself. This year we are again looking for both businesses and individuals to step up and mentor a high school youth. One child, one hour a time, once a week—that is the commitment. A few training sessions, a meeting every other month to talk about challenges and positive moments added in to have the best of mentoring and to talk about the strides the mentors are making and the program works great! Our goal for this coming year is doubling the youth we are working with. We are so proud of our community!”
On June 24, FYI will be going to Columbus to accept the grant and begin the next phase of mentoring our youth. If anyone, who is not yet a mentor, would like to become one, please call Pat, Mary, or Julie at FYI, 845-0403, and find out what it takes to change a life of a teen. As Banaszak says, “It is a life-changing event and one that you will never forget or regret. You will be helping your youth become responsible and mature into adulthood with the tools for success. And you will be grateful that you took that hour a week.”
FYI thanks the whole community for their continued support.
