[Archived] Alexandria City Council Dedicates January As “Mentoring Awareness Month”

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	January 12, 2007 PIO# 009-07/bjh	Brian Hannigan, Director of Communications, or Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

ALEXANDRIA CITY COUNCIL DEDICATES JANUARY
AS “MENTORING AWARENESS MONTH”
CITY’S MENTORING PARTNERSHIP SEEKS 150 NEW VOLUNTEERS
Mentoring Information Reception Scheduled for January 31

In recognition of the importance of responsible adult mentoring in the lives of the City’s youth, the Alexandria City Council has declared January as “Mentoring Awareness Month” in the City. A proclamation (https://dockets.alexandriava.gov/fy07/010907rm/di4.pdf) formalizing the action and lauding the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership was endorsed unanimously by the Council at its January 9 meeting.

The Partnership, a collaborative effort of 12 mentoring programs and City of Alexandria staff, welcomes the Alexandria community to a free information reception on Wednesday, January 31, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., at the Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street. The Partnership is seeking 150 adult volunteer mentors to be matched with Alexandria youth.

“My success in life has a lot to do with the fact that I had the benefit of strong mentors and role models as I grew up in this City,” said Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille. “We all can play a part in helping young people who lack the resources to raise their sights and dream of doing great things, as I did.”

The January 31 information session will include remarks by Mayor Euille, mentor testimonials and raffle prizes. For more information on mentoring, the information session and how you can help, see www.alexandriava.gov/mentoring.

The Alexandria Mentoring Partnership was formed as a result of feedback received from the community through initiatives of the Alexandria Gang Prevention Community Task Force, the Alexandria Community Services Board, and community outreach. The Alexandria Mentoring Partnership is a central clearinghouse of mentoring information available to enhance mentor recruitment, screening and training to ensure that quality mentoring programs reach Alexandria youth.

For more information on the Partnership or to reserve a place on January 31, contact Mike Mackey, City of Alexandria Gang Prevention & Intervention Coordinator at 703-838-4180, ext. 242, or via email at mike.mackey@alexandriava.gov.

“It takes a whole village to raise a child,” said Mayor Euille. “We all have a responsibility to mentor and role model for our young people. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”

Photo of the Mayor presenting the proclamation at the January 9 City Council Meeting.

# # #