On behalf of local volunteer mentors, the Child Health Center’s Big Brothers Big Sisters Program and the Maine Mentoring Partnership say thank you to the caring people who mentor children and youth in one-on-one and group relationships.

Over 1,300 children in Androscoggin, Oxford and parts of Franklin and Cumberland counties are currently being served by mentors through our organization. Throughout Maine, there are a total of 10,000 children receiving such services.

Statewide, the goal is to serve 35,000 children – 15 percent of Maine’s young people – through the efforts or organizations like the Child Health Center and the Maine Mentoring Partnership.

The underlying focus of mentoring lets young people know they are valued in their communities, helps them develop career aspirations and encourages post secondary education.

The success of mentoring in Maine is about a community-wide effort to support quality mentoring in all its many and varied forms. It is about people – young and old – coming together from both the public and private sectors to effect change in the culture so that young people can withstand the challenges of daily life.

Last week was National Volunteer Week, a time to celebrate our volunteers and thank mentors, coaches, tutors and all those caring adults who go out of their way to support Maine’s young people with their passionate, consistent care and continued commitment to kids!

Roy G. Gedat, executive director

Child Health Center, Auburn

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