Catholic Charities Recognizes Mentors

February 9, 2010 Contributor

FULTON, NY – High School students from the Fulton, Phoenix, and Sandy Creek school districts were recently recognized for their work with the CYO Mentoring Program, a program of Catholic Charities of Oswego County.

In recognition of National Mentoring Month, Catholic Charities of Oswego County held a luncheon to honor high school students from the Fulton, Sandy Creek, and Phoenix districts who volunteer as mentors for their local elementary students. From left are: CYO director Jim Smiley; Kylie Clifford, Jenna Neupert, Jenna Gardenier, and AmeriCorps worker Teresa Litchison. Absent from the photo is mentor Helen Caster.
In recognition of National Mentoring Month, Catholic Charities of Oswego County held a luncheon to honor high school students from the Fulton, Sandy Creek, and Phoenix districts who volunteer as mentors for their local elementary students. From left are: CYO director Jim Smiley; Kylie Clifford, Jenna Neupert, Jenna Gardenier, and AmeriCorps worker Teresa Litchison. Absent from the photo is mentor Helen Caster.

Made possible in part through grants from Entergy, HSBC, the Oswego City / County Youth Bureau, United Way of Greater Oswego County, and Oswego County Opportunities, the CYO Mentoring Project 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.

Executive director of Catholic Charities of Oswego County Mary-Margaret Pezzella-Pekow, CYO director Jim Smiley and program coordinator, Ken Dennison welcomed the students, along special guests, Tammy Holden and Dick DenBlyker of Entergy; executive director of the Youth Bureau Kathleen Fenlon; AmeriCorps program coordinator, Kathy Andolina; AmeriCorps program assistant, Carrie Victory; and Principal of Volney Elementary School Jeff Hendrickson.

The students were recognized for their commitment to the CYO Mentoring Program and the time they spend with the elementary students.

“With January being National Mentoring Month we thought it was appropriate to recognize our volunteer high school students. Their involvement and dedication is essential to the success of the CYO Mentoring Program,” said Dennison.

Catholic Charities of Oswego County serves all people in need regardless of their religious affiliation.

Primary funding sources for Catholic Charities of Oswego County programs are the United Way of Greater Oswego County, the Diocesan Hope Appeal, the County of Oswego and private donations by individuals and local companies and organizations.

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

Print this entry