January is National Mentoring Month and in Longview, Texas the local non-profit, Partners for Prevention, held a celebration of their mentors at City Hall last Friday. Our reporter Suzanne Scribner has more.
LONGVIEW MENTORS - Partner’s for Prevention program started 23 years ago, over 1200 students from elementary to high school in Longview, Pine Tree, Spring Hill, Kilgore and Hallsville Independent School Districts, have been matched with female mentors in the girls program, Forever Friends or male mentors in the boys program, Co-pilots. Volunteers have logged over 7500 hours annually. Mentoring Program Director, Lyndell McAllister, says “our mission is to inspire and encourage young people for leadership through positive relationships. Typically, we are inspiring young people facing challenges in their life circumstance and they are referred by their parents or staff or anyone else that is concerned about them.”
By positively engaging kids, Partners for Prevention mentors are increasing their graduation rates and improving the likelihood of post-graduation success. Mentors also grow from the experience. Program Director McAllister says by investing in relationships, Partners for Prevention volunteers impact lives and improve their sense of happiness.
“ Here is the thing, the research around happiness suggest, people are happier when they give back and volunteer with others “ says program director, McAllister.
Click link to learn more: Partners in Prevention - Longview, Texas
Partners in Prevention 903-237-1019
140 E. Tyler St., Suite 400,
Glover-Crim Building
Longview, Texas 75601
