Entergy Powers CYO Mentoring Program

FULTON, NY – Entergy has once again lent its support to Catholic Charities of Oswego County’s CYO Mentoring Program.

A school based mentoring program, it has proven to be an effective program that benefits students in many ways.

Designed specifically for the development and enhancement of healthy social skills and to improve the participants’ academic skills, the program 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 AmeriCorps volunteers of the CYO Mentoring Program supervise all sessions.

The program is currently serving students in the Fulton, Phoenix and Sandy Creek school districts.

Fulton students meet at the CYO, while students in Phoenix and Sandy Creek meet at their schools weekly where they are able to spend some productive, quality time together.

Program coordinator Ken Dennison describes the program as a community program that helps the students gain a sense of commitment and responsibility.

“The students in the CYO Mentoring Program learn the importance of developing healthy relationships with others and gain a better sense of self-esteem. They also develop the positive quality of sharing themselves to help others. They truly care and enjoy making a difference in a young person’s life,” he said.

Tammy Holden, communications specialist with Entergy, added that Entergy is proud to be a partner with Catholic Charities of Oswego County in the CYO Mentoring Program.

“Entergy is proud to support the CYO Mentoring Program. We believe that reinvesting in the communities where we live will enhance the quality of life in those areas. By investing in this project we are investing in the development of our local youth and the future members and leaders of our communities.”

Established by Catholic Charities in 1996 as the Amigo Mentoring Project, the program has helped hundreds of students throughout our community.

However, a number of recent budget cuts had posed a serious threat to the continuance of the program.

“We at Catholic Charities of Oswego County are extremely grateful for Entergy’s continued support of our CYO Mentoring Program. In an era of declining human service budgets, Entergy’s thoughtful contribution to our mentoring program is more important than ever. Entergy’s desire to support the children and families in our community is most evident through their generous donation. Many children will benefit from Entergy’s commitment to the CYO Mentoring Program,” said Dennison.

For more information on Catholic Charities of Oswego County’s CYO Mentoring Program, call Dennison at 598-3980. missing or outdated ad config

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