Mt. Vernon Register-News

Opinion

May 22, 2010

Our View: Be a mentor to a child in need

MT. VERNON — After the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization disbanded due to financial difficulties, there were hundreds of youth who were left without the support it provided.

That’s when Mentors 4 Kids was started — to fill that void and provide adult mentors for at-risk youth. It’s taken several months to organize, create by-laws, get board members, an office and non-profit status, but the time has come.

The time has come to find mentors and kids that need their help.

Finding the kids isn’t going to be the hard part. It’s finding caring adults willing to spend their time and knowledge to the kids that is harder. The group has set up two orientation sessions, one at 6 p.m. on May 26 for children and their parents and the other at 7 p.m. for potential volunteers. The orientations will be held at the Mentors 4 Kids office at 610 McLeansboro St., in Benton.

It doesn’t take a lot of money to mentor a child, it just takes a commitment of time and some effort. Let’s support all those who can make a difference in the lives of those who are our future.

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