What Is a Mentor? A mentor can be many things - friend, advocate, guide, advisor, coach - but a mentor is most importantly an integral part of a young person's success. Our nation's future depends on preparing children to lead productive and fulfilling lives and mentors have tremendous power to help make that happen.

Why Be a Mentor?

Mentors can:

·         Inspire young people to do their best and achieve their dreams

·         Encourage young people to stay in school, keep focused and seize the opportunities waiting for them

·         Help young people discover and nurture their passion

Research has shown that children who participate in mentoring programs are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college and are less likely to participate in risky social behaviors or demonstrate negative attitudes.

By focusing national attention on the need for mentors year-round, as well as how each of us - individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and nonprofits -can work together to increase the number of mentors, we assure increased academic success and brighter futures for our young people.

What is National Mentoring Month?

National Mentoring Month (NMM), held each year in January, celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2011 by raising awareness about the important role mentoring can play in academic engagement. NMM draws a spotlight on mentoring and the positive effect it can have on young lives.

Its goals are to:

·         Raise awareness of mentoring in its various forms.

·         Recruit individuals to mentor, especially in programs that have waiting lists of young people.

·         Promote the rapid growth of mentoring by recruiting organizations to engage their constituents in mentoring.

How Can You Get Involved?

If you or your organization want to get involved in National Mentoring Month activities, please contact Tammie or Blake at 245-5555 Ext. 26 and 16 or on line at www.MesaPartners.org

Thanks www.serve.gov/mentor.asp for this great article.

 Thanks to all our supporters, contributors and volunteers who work on fundraising for Partners.

  Action Publishing, Inc., Doug Aden and Lorraine Jensen, Arby's, Edward Armstrong, Herb and Laura Bacon, Levi Baer, Frank and Gretchen Bering, Tillie and Pat Bishop, Alan and Lisa Bower, Bob and Jo Ann Bray, Gus Brownson, Jennifer and Patrick Bryan, Bernie and Mary Beth Buescher, Cameo Hairstyling, Timothy and Kathryn Carlson, Maxine and Ben Carnes, City Market, Coca-Cola, Anne Connolly, Martelle Daniels, H. Dianne Dinnel, Jeffrey Dutton, James Dyer, Enstrom Candies Inc., Stephan and Lysa ErkenBrack, Larry and Joanna Feather, Steven Foss at GJ CRI, Bob and Louise Garcia, Richard Gonzalez, Grand Junction Rotary Club, Grand Mesa Jeep Club, Grand Valley Audubon Society, Terence and Camilla Hammer, Clay and Kathleen Hanlon, Bradley and Julie Hinkson, Dale and Sue Hollingshead, Jan and Bill Holmes, Janet Howell, Junior Service League of Grand Junction, Jane Kiss, Martin and Gail Knauss, Ted Koeman, Lil Orange Hotrod Promotions, LLC, William and Carolyn Love, Dave Murphy, Darrel Mattivi, Carol McManus, Edward McNellis, David and Stephanie Mercer, Dave Meyer, Ronald Moorland, Keith and Jean Mumby, Fr. Lou Nollette, Brian and Joyce Olson, Hurst Otto, Charles and Leah Pabst, Mary Pearson, Bill Petty, A.M. Pfenning, David Prill, Tony and Sally Prinster, Pro Powder Coating, Fred Rainguet and Sam Rainguet, Al and Annette Ramaekers, Joe and Sandy Ramunno, Jacques and Vivian Rolland, Ruth Hutchins, Charitable Lead Trust, Judy Salamon, Esther and Richard Sapp, Annie Shoberg,Michael Slauson, Helen Smock, Frank Spiecker, Christopher Tomlinson, Valley Vending, LLC, Gerrit and Joanne Van Dijk, Steve and Lenna Watson, Wells Fargo Bank, William and Debra Widdows, Robert and Nancy Wilson, and Clark Wingate.

BIG thanks to Chevron for sponsoring the Thanks for Giving Dinner; Cummins Rocky Mountain, Rotarack, Junior Service league, Grand Junction Rotary, Kohl's, and adult mentors for giving 55 kiddos the opportunity to have a $100.00 shopping spree; Choice Hotels and Old Navy for sponsoring the Partners Christmas party, Taylor Ray, Alexis Walters and the Central High School Student Senate and all of the amazing people who helped make this holiday season special for the kiddos!                    

Power Hour:

     On January 11^th Power hour will be an open activity.  Come with Ideas of activities that you would like to do during the upcoming year.  This activity is from 6 pm to 8 pm please RSVP. Dinner will be provided.

Powderhorn Ski and Snowboard trip:

        Meet at the Partners Building at 7:30 am on the morning of January 17^th.  Dress warm that means bring snow pants, jackets, beanies, and gloves.  This stuff will not be provided for you!  You will also need to bring a lunch or money to buy lunch.  We will be back at the Partners building by 4 pm.  You must sign up for this activity, and you need to be 8 years of age and older to participate. Please note that everyone must take at least a half day lesson there will be NO EXCEPTIONS!

February

Power Hour:

      On Tuesday February 8^th we will hold a movie night at the Partners building from 6 pm to 8 pm. Dinner will be provided. Please RSVP!

On February 10^th we will be going to watch a diving event at Mesa State College.  Mesa is holding the RMAC Swimming/Diving Championships.  This event is tentatively scheduled from 6-8 pm.  The event time for this activity is subject to change.  Dinner will be provided.  Please call to sign up for this event.

Orientation: 

Open Orientation for anyone who wants to become an Adult Mentor will be held on January 11^th and February 8^h at 12 noon and 5:30 pm.  If these times don't fit your schedule we would be happy to set up an individual orientation with you!

245-5555 - Tammie x 26, or Blake x16

Fall Overview

The Western Colorado Conservation Corps completed a successful fall session on November 18^th. Our five fall crews worked on projects in areas such as the Gunnison Gorge, the Dolores River, and Rabbit Valley. In addition to learning about and working on conservation projects, WCCC youth have invested in the community and earned AmeriCorps Scholarships for college. 23 corps members completed their AmeriCorps awards at the end of the fall session, bringing this year's cumulative value of WCCC AmeriCorps awards to $104,000. 

Winter Session Underway

WCCC's winter session began on November 29^th. The winter crew will be working on invasive species removal and other conservation projects in the local area. During December, some of our Corps Members will also be helping out at the Partners Gift Wrap at the Mesa Mall.

Congratulations to Matt Jennings

Matt Jennings, our Special Projects Coordinator, has received the Leading Youth through the Switchbacks of Life Award for his outstanding contributions to WCCC. Matt first joined the Corps for a 300 hour summer session in 2003. After graduating from college, Matt returned to the Corps as a Crew Leader and successfully led a crew of young adults in the field. He was then promoted to Public Lands Volunteer Coordinator and developed the Learn and Serve program for 30 youth ages 11-15. The Learn and Serve youth learned about land stewardship and also earned $13,000 in AmeriCorps scholarships. In addition to the Learn and Serve program, Matt has led thousands of hours in volunteer projects. Matt Jennings has earned the Leading Youth through the Switchbacks of Life Award because of his leadership and his service to the community. Congratulations, Matt!

Congratulations to Chris Pipkin

Chris Pipkin of the Bureau of Land Management has received the Pete Larson Award. Over the last several years, Chris has been a great help to WCCC. He has worked on Crew Leader training, guided Corps members in the field, and also generated funding for our education program. Chris has exuded leadership and exemplified the values of land stewardship and service that WCCC seeks to instill in its Corps Members.

Special Thanks

We would like to thank Rita Larson for presenting the Pete Larson Award at the Partners Thanks for Giving Dinner on November 18^th. This award is given in honor of Pete Larson and his investment in community, his work with youth, and his love for the outdoors.