FULTON, NY – Youth involved in Catholic Charities of Oswego County’s CYO Mentoring Program helped to make Valentine’s Day extra special for the residents of the Fulton Mill Apartments.

As a community outreach project, youth in the CYO Mentoring Program created and delivered handmade Valentine’s cards to the residents.

Youth in Catholic Charities of Oswego County’s CYO Mentoring Program recently created and delivered handmade Valentine’s Day cards to the residents of the Fulton Mill Apartments. From left are Courtney Miner and Alice Hannig.

Working in collaboration with the Catholic Charities’ Donna’s Place Program, the students enjoyed some quality time with the seniors as they visited with them in the community room and presented them with the Valentine’s Day cards that they made especially for the residents.

“It was a wonderful experience for both our students and the residents,” said coordinator of the CYO Mentoring Program Ken Dennison. “The residents enjoyed visiting with the children and truly appreciated the handmade Valentine’s Day cards that they received. It’s nice to see the students and the seniors together enjoying each other’s company. It allows our seniors to see youth in a more positive fashion and provides our seniors with an opportunity to serve as mentors for our youth.”

Dennison added that the students in the CYO Mentoring Project enjoy working with Donna’s Place on community projects like these as it gives them an opportunity to connect and give back to their community.

“It is a very empowering and rewarding experience for them,” he said.

Made possible in part through grants from Entergy, HSBC, the Oswego City-County Youth Bureau, the United Way of Greater Oswego County, and Oswego County Opportunities, the CYO Mentoring Program is a school based mentoring program that matches elementary school children with high school students and provides them with peer support and a positive role model.

Students meet weekly throughout the school year and spend time together in a variety of ways including tutoring, games, activities and outings.

Mentors provide friendship, guidance, and support through one-on-one time and group activities.

Staff or volunteers of the CYO Mentoring Program supervise all activities and meetings.

For more information on the CYO Mentoring Program, call Dennison at 598-3980 or visit www.ccoswego.com

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