The Coloradoan
November 18, 2009

www.coloradoan.comFirst lady reminds us of importance of mentoring

Partners Mentoring Youth is a good local place to begin
 

First lady Michelle Obama’s visit to Denver this week brought some much-needed attention to mentoring.

Such programs expose young people to positive adult role models. To help illustrate the message, Obama was accompanied by women Cabinet members, business leaders, an astronaut, actresses and elected officials when she met with 80 girls in Denver.

As the first lady pointed out, “We’re not launching this because somehow we’re the first people in the world to think of mentoring. There are organizations all across the country who do mentoring – they do it every day in the lives of kids, and you don’t have to be the first lady or an actress to be a mentor.”

Nonprofits throughout Larimer County could use mentoring help, but a good place to start if you’re interested is Partners Mentoring Youth. The organization connects adult role models with children ages 7 to 17.

Partners Mentoring Youth says after a year of participating in the program, children show significant improvement, including:

> A significant increase in their future orientation.

> Being more committed to living a drug and alcohol-free life.

> Greater attachment to their family, friends and other adults.

> An increase in self-esteem.

If you’re interested in learning more, visit www.partnersmentoringyouth.org or call (970) 484-7123 in Fort Collins or (970) 667-0911 in Loveland.