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"Mentoring is one of the most powerful ways to impact a turnaround in a child's life." -- Annie Johnson, San Miguel County Social Services
(from Telluride Daily Planet Friday January 20th 2012)
Governor Hickenlooper visited Montrose on Saturday to recognize the One to One mentoring programs in the area and to commemorate January as National Mentoring Month in Colorado.
The governor talked about the value of mentoring, noting that mentoring has a significant impact on the lives of children and an equally strong influence on the volunteers who are mentors. Communities benefit from these mentoring relationships as they improve the lives and opportunities of the participants.
Gov. Hickenlooper presented a proclamation to representatives, mentors and children from the One to One San Miguel Mentoring Program, Partners of Delta, Montrose and Ouray, Partners of Gunnison Country. Local kids who participate in these programs and their mentors got to meet him.
“Mentors play an essential role in preparing Colorado children for a bright future,” Hickenlooper said.
He read from a proclamation to celebrate January as part of National Mentoring Month in Colorado. “Mentors backed by quality mentoring programs play a powerful role in preventing substance abuse and youth violence, as well as boosting academic achievement and workforce readiness,” he read. “Mentors help ensure that Colorado’s children will grow to their full potential as the next generation of leaders, helping to secure the future of this state and nation.”
The various mentoring organizations had mentors and their mentees on hand to present to the governor and the opportunity for the group to ask questions and start a dialog with him. The event shed light on positive benefits of mentoring and also emphasized that each organization has many kids waiting for a mentor.
One to One was formed in 1993 by Telluride locals and still-standing board members, John Mansfield and Allen Gerstle. Mansfield was the juvenile diversion officer and Gerstle was (and still is) the director of Social Services. In dealing with children and families in crisis, the two saw a need for a mentoring organization in the community. One to One began as a branch of Delta-Montrose Partners, and later worked under the umbrella of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of La Plata County. In 1999, the board of directors created the independent mentoring organization known as One to One. Starting with 35 children, One to One has since served more than 340 unduplicated youth in San Miguel County through a variety of programs tailored to address a diverse array of needs.
Read the article and see pictures in the Telluride Daily Planet http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/20/news/doc4f1a1c47d425f463342735.txt
This year, One to One's requests for scholarships for enrichment activities were higher than ever before. One to One provides a 1/3 scholarship toward activities such as dancing, musical theater, sports, and classes; and asks that the providing organization give a 1/3 tuition reduction. The family or student is asked to pay the remaining third. We have funded guitar lessons, gymnastics classes, Sheridan Arts Foundation Young People's Theater, Telluride Academy sessions, and much more for youth in our program who show financial need. This year, the Telluride Schools Ski PE costs were too high for many families, meaning that many youth will have to sit in study hall while their peers head out onto the mountains right outside the window. We are working to provide assistance for all youth in our proram who would like to ski or snowboard. We are partnering with the PEP program, as well as working to raise our own funds. Kristen Vincent, One to One Program Coordinator, is heading out for her second 1/2 marathon, and asking that folks donate through FundRazr. If you would like to help out here's the link on Facebook.