Fairfield, CT - On October 16, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club welcomed the first thirteen mentees and their teen mentors into the Great Futures Mentoring Program at Holland Hill Elementary School. The program plans to enroll twenty mentees this fall, and modeled after the Wakeman Mentoring Program at McKinley School.
"We are so excited to have the Wakeman Mentoring Program at Holland Hill! I can already see bonds forming between the mentors and our mentees, increasing the positive relationships these students have in their life," said Christine Olson, Holland Hill's Social Worker. "We know that these relationships can lead to an increase in connectedness to the school and peers as well as improved feelings of academic success."
The program is a partnership between Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, Holland Hill Elementary School and Fairfield Public School's Superintendent's Office, made possible by a $6,000 grant from the Kiwanis Club of Fairfield. Kiwanis Club members also expect to play an active role in the mentoring program periodically during the school year.
"The Kiwanis Club of Fairfield is passionate about making a difference in the lives of children in our community," said Kiwanis Club of Fairfield President Paul Giacalone. "As such, we are honored to partner on the launch of the Great Futures Mentoring Program at Holland Hill where the students will benefit from both academic and personal growth throughout the year."
Dialogue between Wakeman and Holland Hill School began more than two years ago after Olson observed the Mentoring Program at McKinley. Established in 2005, the McKinley Program serves 80 youth annually with more than 120 volunteer mentors, with some teens take breaks from mentoring for their high school sports seasons. Since 2014, 33 former mentees have returned to the program as teen volunteers.
While kids benefit from the positive support in academics, socialization and healthy lifestyles, teens gain opportunities to lead and impact youth. Teen volunteers learn to develop their patience, compassion and knowledge while exploring careers working with youth, fulfilling high school community service requirements or just giving back.
"Everyone benefits from a mentor in their life, so we are incredibly excited to expand our unique Great Futures Mentoring Program to Holland Hill. While we already counted the Kiwanis Club of Fairfield and Fairfield Public Schools as great partners of the Club, this program means another great win for the town," said Tim Cepetelli, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club's Director of Administration & Outreach.
Applications are still being accepted from high school students interested in volunteering as mentors this year. The Mentoring Program at Holland Hill meets Tuesdays from 2:45-4:45, while McKinley offers a variety of mentoring programs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:45-4:45 or 3:15-4:45.
For information about the Outreach Mentoring Program, contact tim@wakemanclub.org or visit the Outreach page of www.wakemanclub.org.
For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Fairfield, please visit www.fairfieldkiwanis.org