More Talbot County children will be matched with adult volunteer mentors thanks to community contributions to the United Fund. Talbot Mentors has been selected as a beneficiary of the United Fund of Talbot County’s 2015-16 campaign.
Ashanti Stanley, left, and her mentor Sharyn Watts-Hall
In expressing her appreciation for the funding, Talbot Mentors Executive Director Natalie Costanzo said the primary focus this year will be on mentor recruitment.
“We want to increase our service to the youth of this community by providing more matches with new mentors,” she said. “The United Fund’s grant will be used to create, monitor and support current and future matches.”
There now are 57 students matched with mentors through the Talbot Mentors program, and four more waiting for volunteers. According to Case Manager Javana Bowser, the number on the waiting list is likely to double or triple as the school year begins and guidance counselors refer more students to the program.
U.S. Census figures show almost 8100 children in Talbot County, with national statistics from Big Brothers Big Sisters America projecting more than a thousand of them to be “at risk.”
“Mentoring makes a difference,” said Costanzo, citing national studies that show mentored children have less illegal drug and alcohol use, reduced school truancy, better grades, and higher goals and aspirations.
“Experts tell us the benefits of mentoring increase the longer the match continues,” she added. Over 70 percent of Talbot Mentor’s matches have been together for more than a year, with some relationships lasting as long as eight years or more.
To give more students the opportunity to benefit from mentoring, the organization is initiating a mentor recruitment drive. A new video, produced with the support of the Avalon Foundation, will run in local media outlets, and speakers will address community groups to encourage individuals to try mentoring.
The United Fund grant helps Talbot Mentors staff provide support services that ensure the relationships have the best possible chance for success.
“These are good kids,” said Costanzo of the program’s students. “Being a mentor is not difficult. Even doing the simplest of activities together can be enough. It just takes the commitment of a bit of time each week to be there as a friend.”
For more information, to make a contribution, or to volunteer as a mentor, call Talbot Mentors at 410-770-5999 or visit www.talbotmentors.org.
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