Dear Friends:

    Everyone in the Mentors, Inc. family has had a spirit of hope and responsibility that goes way back to the organization's founding in 1987, and I am thrilled to be appointed executive director at a very special time in the organization's history.  

    Mentors, Inc. is rejuvenated by a year-long evaluation project.  We spoke with mentors and protégés to understand what we needed to do to improve match relationship success, which research shows impacts our goal to improve positive outcomes for youth.  The evaluation has helped us refine programming and staff focus, strengthening operations and positioning us for our next phase of service.   Just as exciting, the renewed spirit of hope and responsibility that has come to Washington, D.C. with the new administration, as well as a renewed interest in domestic policies, provides a crucial backdrop for our challenging work ahead.  

Tax Credit Could Entice D.C. Residents to Volunteer 

In a more pragmatic way, the D.C. Council is doing its part to promote mentoring.  Ward 6 Councilman Tommy Wells and at-large Councilman Michael Brown introduced a bill on January 6 that would create a $2,000 standard deduction for any adult who completes at least 104 hours of volunteer youth mentoring in a recognized program.  It would also provide employers with a tax credit for their employees who take time off to volunteer, and allow D.C. government employees to use accrued leave for mentoring.

Change Is In the Air

In more ways than one, there is a palpable shift happening in America.  Change.  Hope.  The election of Barack Obama has propelled us to realize that each and every one of us can make a difference in this world.  For those of us who have been mentored, or who have mentored ourselves, we know that to be true.