Local Nonprofits are working together to raise awareness during Mentor Month.

The Larimer County Mentoring Coalition is celebrating January as National Mentor Month. Mentor Month is a national campaign, first introduced in 2002, which is spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project, MENTOR, and the Corporation for National and Community Service and focuses attention on the positive impact mentoring can have on young lives and the need for mentors in our communities. This campaign helps identify how each of us—individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities, and nonprofits—can work together to increase the number of mentors and assure brighter futures for our young people. “At any given time there are hundreds kids on mentoring waiting lists in Larimer County. Some of these kids get very discouraged, waiting years for a match.” said Kathleen Vasa, Volunteer Program Coordinator, Volunteers of America Northern Colorado Services.

"Thank Your Mentor Day" is January 22, 2009, which many mentoring programs select as a day of recognition for their volunteers and for Mentor Month. We encourage you to think of the mentors in your life—a team coach, teacher, concerned neighbor, or another caring adult—and take a few minutes to thank them and then consider becoming a mentor yourself. The Larimer County Mentoring Coalition consists of multiple mentoring organizations committed to raising awareness of the need for mentors, and to recruiting and retaining high quality mentors for children and young adults in Larimer County. Mentoring opportunities range in time commitment and availability to ensure there is an opportunity to fit any lifestyle.

Larimer County Mentoring Coalition members are Volunteers of America Northern Colorado Services, Boys and Girls Clubs of Larimer County, The Matthews House, Partners Mentoring Youth of Larimer County, Turning Point Center for Youth and Family Development, Larimer Center for Mental Health, and Larimer County Human Services, Children, Youth and Family Division.

“It’s our goal to become a one-stop-shop for all who are interested in becoming a mentor in Larimer County.” said Vasa, “Individuals who are interested can call 970-472-9630 for more information about mentoring and the mentoring opportunities in Larimer County.”

Written by

Kathleen Vasa, Volunteer Program Coordinator,

Volunteers of America Northern Colorado Services
(970) 472-9630
voarsvp@frii.com

If you are interested in mentoring or volunteering at the Matthews House, we'd love to have you. Please contact Steve