Chautauqua Striders is asking for members of the community to come forward and consider volunteering a few hours each month to serve as a mentor for local students.
WRFA Public Affairs Director Jason Sample recently talked with representatives from Chautauqua Striders to learn more about the need for local residents to serve as mentors for Jamestown area youth. Taking part in the conversation were Erika Mueke, Director of Mentoring; Kim Ecklund, Mentor; and Leah Gustafson, Mentor.
The Striders Mentoring Program focuses on mentoring relationships between positive adult role models and children in need of additional support and encouragement. Volunteers are asked to commit to a half hour a week to meet with a child on the weekends and evenings in the community or during the school day at lunch. Together they talk about school, friendships and plan for the future. Mentors are community members interested in giving back and wanting to help a child succeed. Volunteers are screened and trained by professional staff and are provided ongoing support throughout the length of the mentoring relationship.
“Mentor one child, change two lives,” is the motto of Striders. To find out how you can be involved or for more information contact Erika Mueke at 716-488-2203 or visit ChautauquaStriders.org.
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