MENTOR KENOSHA & RACINE DEBUTS AT UW-PARKSIDE
October 31, 2008
KENOSHA, Wis.--Mentor Kenosha & Racine, an initiative of the Center for Community Partnerships (CCP) at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, holds its public launch Friday, Oct. 31, with a special breakfast program. Titled “Building a Thriving Mentoring Community,” those attending will hear from university and political leaders on the pivotal role mentoring can play in addressing various local challenges. The launch also provides participants with the chance to engage in meaningful discussions about the power and potential of mentoring.
“This event will provide people with the opportunity to learn why mentoring is vital to our community and it will provide a roadmap on how businesses, educators, program leaders, and individual citizens can get engaged in growing this important effort,” said Mark Gesner, CCP’s director of youth development and evaluation. “We have a critical need for more mentors in our community and this initiative is addressing that need head-on."
During the program, UW-Parkside Interim Chancellor Lane Earns addresses why the university
strongly supports this effort. Dr. Earns is followed by Racine and Kenosha county executives William McReynolds and Jim Krueser as well as Kenosha Mayor Keith Bosman and Racine Mayor Gary Becker. The elected officials will address why the community must make a meaningful commitment to embrace the role of mentors.
Also during the program, leaders of local community-based mentoring programs including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Kenosha Boys and Girls Club, Circle of Hope, and Racine’s San Juan Diego Middle School discuss how and why mentoring works. Representatives of the Kenosha United Way, Racine County Workforce Development, Gateway Technical College and Educators Credit Union will explain how they are committed to supporting a strong mentoring community. Those attending also will hear compelling stories directly from mentors and mentees about how their mentoring relationships changed their lives.
This program is free and open to the public. It is held in Main Place of Wyllie Hall Friday, Oct. 31 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. A light breakfast is provided.
For more information or to register, call Felicia Stallworth at 262-595-2312 or access felicia.stallworth@uwp.edu by email. If you have any questions about Mentor Kenosha & Racine, call Evan Witalison at 262-595-2652 or access evan.witalison@uwp.edu by email.
Mentor Kenosha & Racine invites area residents to join the organization in “Building a Thriving Mentoring Community.” That’s the theme of its launch breakfast Friday, Oct. 31 at UW-Parkside.
