January 31st, 2024
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Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Rochester Mayor Malik Evans today recognized the close of National Mentoring Month by honoring mentoring organizations for their positive impact on our community. The organizations include the Monroe County Youth Bureau, Compeer Rochester, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester and The HIVE, which is comprised of Encompass, Boys and Girls Club of Rochester, Teen Empowerment, Black Men Achieve and The Hub 585.
“Mentorship significantly impacts an individual’s success and future — whether it be a young person or an adult, mentoring provides support and direction. The more we can guide people to make better choices and investments of their time, the more opportunities for success our residents will have,” said County Executive Bello. “We are fortunate to have many great organizations including Monroe County’s Youth Bureau that help address this need in our community. It’s a privilege to recognize them.”
“It is critical that we raise awareness and celebrate the powerful impact of mentoring relationships,” said Mayor Malik Evans. “Volunteer mentors link our youth with social and economic opportunity and strengthen our community by providing invaluable support networks. I want to thank all those in our community who give of their time to offer our youth real life guidance and support.”
“Mentoring is a two-way street, you get out what you put in. It’s a rewarding role for both the mentor and the mentee. At the Youth Bureau, we work to connect our youth to mentoring resources,” said Tony Jordan, Executive Director of the Monroe County Youth Bureau. “I'm grateful to County Executive Bello and Mayor Evans for their support of mentoring organizations and youth programs.”
"As a local nonprofit that focuses on promoting mental wellness through supportive relationships, we’re grateful for County Executive Bello’s and Mayor Evans’ recognition of National Mentor Month. The need for social connection is more important than ever,” said Sara Passamonte, President/Executive Director of Compeer Rochester. “A recent report by MENTOR reaffirms the importance for mentoring relationships as a foundation for mental and physical wellbeing as well as for community-building. For 50 years, Compeer’s volunteer programs have provided community members this foundational support by helping to establish ‘intentional friendships,’ mentoring and group activities. We intend to continue this momentum until no person in our Rochester community, and beyond, has to experience loneliness."
“January is a month that we reflect on the incredible impact that mentoring has on youth. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester, we serve over 300 youth each year in safe and healthy mentoring relationships within Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, and Yates County. Approximately 50% of the youth we serve reside within Monroe County. Big Brothers Big Sisters is grateful to County Executive Bello and Mayor Evans for highlighting the great work being done through mentoring programs throughout our region,” said Lisa Mattoon, Chief Executive Office for Big Brothers Big Sister of Greater Rochester.
Studies show that 74% of individuals who have had a meaningful mentor attribute their future success to that person and 58% of young people acknowledge their mentor's contribution to their mental health.
In 2021, Monroe County allocated more than $655,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester to help create a new Mentoring Center on South Washington Street.
Another ARPA investment of $5.8 million helped to create The HIVE program, which offers year-round workforce programming, career placement pathways, and wraparound services including mentorship for at-risk youth and families.
“The Hive Youth Workforce Consortium advances the community and economic vitality of tomorrow by centering youth today, providing equitable access, eliminating barriers and carving abundant pathways to lifelong success. Mentoring is workforce development and an essential aspect of our model is providing 1:1 mentorship to help youth chart personalized paths to careers. Hive partners provide this guiding support to hundreds of students each month and the Hive employs 2 Employment Navigators – in our first year, 3,117 students benefited from mentoring to reach their goals,” said Allen Pinkins, Hive Coordinator.
To learn more about mentorship opportunities in our area, go to beabig.org or compeerrochester.org.
