Governor and First Lady Unveil Mentoring Grant
March 27, 2009
AUGUSTA - Governor John E. Baldacci and First Lady Karen Baldacci today joined key partners to announce a $500,000 federal grant to begin a mentoring program across the State. The program launched today: “The Communities for Children & Youth College/Community Mentoring Project,” will connect selected college students with elementary, middle and high school students identified as needing extra attention.
First Lady Karen Baldacci, who serves as the chair of the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet, said the grant will provide new opportunities for Maine youth. “By pairing younger students in need of extra support with successful college students, we can help children keep out of trouble and raise their sights toward a college education,” said the First Lady. “This program is a great model of local communities and private partners working with State government to support positive youth development programs and prevention efforts.”
The project is a collaborative between the Children’s Cabinet’s Communities for Children & Youth, the Maine Department of Corrections and Jobs for Maine’s Graduates.
Modeled after an existing mentoring program at Colby College, the grant enables the expansion of or start of mentoring programs at Colby College, Bowdoin College, the University of New England, the University of Maine, University of Southern Maine, USM Lewiston/Auburn and the University of Maine at Augusta.
Participating college students will complete an application process and receive training prior to being matched with eligible children. The goal is to have sufficient numbers of mentors at each of the seven colleges and universities to serve 500 young people in the State over the next three years.
The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
