Mentoring Matters
Mentoring has the power to transform lives.
By spending consistent, quality time with a child, a volunteer mentor can help boost a child’s self esteem, improve school performance, strengthen a child’s relationships with peers and family, and introduce a child to a world of new possibilities. By sharing their time and life experiences, mentors can encourage children to recognize and pursue their own dreams and reach their full potential.
First Lady Kim Henry Endorses Mentoring Initiative |
Inspired by the proven success of mentor programs, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has launched the David and Molly Boren Mentoring Initiative, which draws on the statewide resources of the foundation to promote the establishment and growth of school-based mentoring programs in our state.
“Through our own Academic All-State Mentor Program, we have seen the powerful impact that mentoring can have on academic success as well as on a child’s self-confidence,” said Emily Stratton, OFE executive director. “We see mentorship programs as critical to the success of public education in Oklahoma in the 21st century.”
The Foundation for Excellence introduced the Mentoring Initiative during its 2005 Fall Forum for Local Education Foundations by offering its first annual seminars on mentoring. OFE is also promoting mentoring as part of its outreach program to local education foundations and school districts throughout the state and is encouraging its own trustees and Academic All-State alumni to join in the effort.
Another important component of the mentoring initiative is this web site, which provides a variety of quality tools and resources for prospective mentors and those interested in creating safe and effective mentoring programs in their communities. One goal for this web site is to build the state’s first comprehensive list of Oklahoma mentoring programs.
We hope these resources will be of help to you. If you have questions or need assistance, please call (405) 236-0006.