Invest In The Future, Invest In Mentoring!

I am proud to serve on the Virginia Mentoring Partnership (VMP) Board of Directors.  I have benefited from many mentors in my life growing up and still today.  VMP's vision is that every child in Virginia who needs a mentor should have a mentor.  We all need mentors!  VMP helps organizations such as the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Peter Paul Development Center, Henrico Heroes,  increase their capacity for mentoring programs, developing new programs, and advocating for resources to support the mentoring field.  In short, VMP mentors the MENTOR.  Ultimately, this means that mentees, the youth, have higher-quality and more impactful mentoring experiences. 

During the 2017-18 school year, there are 1,500 children and youth in Virginia who are on a waiting list for a mentor.  This campaign is an effort to recruit and train new mentors to ensure that every child who wants a mentor can have one.

The cost to train a caring adult on best practices in mentoring and mentoring relationships is $25.  Your return on investment is even greater.  Research suggests that kids who have mentors are less likely to drop out of school or engage in alcohol use, and are more likely to attend and stay in college. They have a more positive outlook on their futures, and have stronger relationships with peers and parents.

I am proud to be a mentor and thankful to have mentors.  Please join me in ensuring that all kids in Richmond and across Virginia who want a mentor can have one.  Please consider making a donation or becoming a mentor!  For more information about VMP, please visit www.vamentoring.org.

Thank you for your support and investing in our future!

Take Care,

Lorie