9:35 a.m., Jan. 21, 2009----Each year since 2002, January has been proclaimed National Mentoring Month, and the Delaware Mentoring Council (DMC) is joining with like-minded and partnering organizations around the country to celebrate and recognize volunteer mentors and supporters through a series of special events.

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The DMC, a program of the University of Delaware, is housed in the Delaware Center for Teacher Education in the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy. It is a collaboration of mentoring programs, corporations, local businesses, government agencies and community organizations dedicated to providing mentors to youth in need.

“Our goal is to provide a mentor for every child who needs one in the state of Delaware,” says Lynn Paul, acting director of DMC. “We have planned a number of special events this month that recognize the wonderful work being done by groups and individuals to meet this goal.”

Delaware Mentoring Council

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, the DMC will honor mentors and supporters from the business community at a National Mentoring Month celebration. The Senator Thomas R. Carper Award for Youth Mentoring will be presented to WSFS Bank and JPMorgan Chase.

The selection of WSFS Bank and JPMorgan Chase was based on their model of excellent corporate community service and the dedication of their employees in mentoring students. Representatives from both companies have worked closely with school administrators to ensure that their programs follow basic mentoring standards for safe and effective mentoring as identified by the DMC.

They have further supported mentoring through their active participation in the Greater Wilmington Mentoring Commission, a partnership with Wilmington Mayor James M. Baker, the city of Wilmington and the Delaware Mentoring Council.

Anyone interested in mentoring is invited to attend this free program. A reception at 6 p.m. will be followed by the awards program at 6:30 at the Baby Grand Opera House in Wilmington. Please RSVP by calling (302) 831-0520 or sending e-mail to [delawarementoring@udel.edu].

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware

On Thursday, Jan. 22, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware will honor their supporters and recognize the “Big of the Year” at the Deerfield Golf and Tennis Club in Newark. For more information, visit the Web site or call (302) 998-3577.

Connecting Generations

On Saturday, Jan. 31, Connecting Generations will honor three longtime board members and mentoring supporters at the Jazz in January Mentoring Celebration at the Dupont Country Club. The Robert A. Kasey, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Jane Maroney, Edward F. “Mike” Eaton, and James Patton, Sr. Tickets may be purchased by visiting the Web site or calling (302) 656-2122, extension 12.

For more information on National Mentoring Month, contact Lynn Paul, acting director, Delaware Mentoring Council, at (302) 831-0250, or visit the Web site.

Article by Beth Chajes