In a few days Talbot Mentors will be taking over the Avalon Theatre for their annual fundraising benefit. Once again the Capitol Fools comedy group will be the headliner for what promises to be an extremely funny evening.
But beyond the laugh riot that will take place that is a remarkable story of Talbot Mentors itself. Founded in 1997 by a retired insurance executive Phil Kirby, the organization had a simple mission; to identify the systemic barriers to young people’s success through the power of healthy mentoring relationships.
And since those early days, Talbot Mentors has paired over a thousand volunteers with young people from the Talbot County Public Schools to create transformational relationships that not support mentees with their lifetime aspirations. And while there are endless examples of how those friendships translate into improved academic performance and the development of critically important soft skills to help navigate a sometimes complex world, this is not a one way street of benefits.
The other important beneficiaries has been on the mentors themselves. Provided the opportunity to connect with young people, these mentors have consistently reported back that their mentees have had just as much impact of their lives.
An example of that is perhaps of the longest lasting mentee-mentor relationships on record in Talbot Mentors. For now 11 years, Tabius Wilson and John Strickland have continued their special friendship even as Tabius is now in his first year at George Mason University’s school of Law. The Spy asked them to stop by the Spy studio last week to talk about this unique bond and the impact it has had on their lives.
This video is approximately eight minutes in length. For ticket information for the Talbot Mentors benefit please go here.
Katie says
Love every part of this!