Executive Director, Dave O'Keeffe (far right) receives $5,000 check from Lt. Gov. Brad Owen. Funds will help expand the Champions Mentor Program in Lakewood. Pictured from left to right: Mentors Jayme Taylor, Shirley Burns, Sandy Anderson, Randy Richards, Hollieanne White; Lt. Gov. Brad Owen; students Valuese Rodriguez and Isaiah Eason; Nathan Turner, Rick Larson (Bank of America) and Dave O'Keeffe.
Mentors, students, Bank of America staff and Washington State Mentor staff gathered at Tillicum Elementary School on Oct. 22 to celebrate mentoring in Clover Park schools. The America Mentoring Initiative is funded by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation and administered by Washington State Mentor. “This partnership is a wonderful example of what can be accomplished when corporations and non-profits join forces to support young people. These grants are awarded to outstanding mentoring organizations that are serving youth living in poverty all across Washington State,” said Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen, who is co-chair of the Issaquah-based non-profit.
Mentoring is a vital and effective means of helping young people overcome obstacles in their lives. Youth with mentors have fewer instances of violence and substance abuse, and increased emotional well-being and academic performance than youth who do not have mentors. CISL has 17 students waiting to be matched with a mentor. Applications can be downloaded at www.kalewood.ciswa.org and a training is set for Nov. 5, 12:00-1:15 p.m. at the CISL office, 6402 100th St. SW, Lakewood, 98499.