Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Mentoring Youth celebrate National Mentor Month

On Sunday, January 8, 2017, one of the coldest days of the year, the Mentoring Youth Program celebrated our wonderful volunteer mentors with a delicious brunch at the Iron Horse Restaurant in Westwood, NJ. The Iron Horse has been our gracious host for over 10 years.

The warmth of the fireplace added to the warmth generated by our exceptional mentors.  Mentors of all ages, volunteering with the program for less than a year to 25 years, were glad to meet, mingle, and share stories of their experiences.   The event is annually held in January because it is National Mentoring Month.

Lynne Algrant, CEO of the Bergen Volunteer Center, welcomed the mentors and applauded them for the work they do.  Faith Samples-Smart, Mentoring Youth program director recognized Ruth Schneider of Ramsey, for mentoring eight youth over a 25 year period.  She had decided that it’s time to retire but will continue to see her mentee.  She is an amazing woman who has devoted many, many years to helping children find a voice and offering them friendship in a way that has and will continue to impact their lives.

Mentoring Youth, a program of the Bergen Volunteer Center, trains and matches volunteer adults with children between the ages of 5-21 who are referred to us through a social service organization.  Giving their time, attention and care to a child is celebrated by Mentoring Youth yearly at this event.  Mentoring Youth is about to celebrate 40 years of service to our Bergen County children and the adults who volunteer to be a friend, role-model and confidante. 


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