News

The information that follows first appeared in the August 20, 2006 GFCC Sunday church bulletin.If you have at all thought about becoming a mentor, please read the information below and contact the person indicated at the end of the highlight.

MAZIE MENTORING PROGRAM SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO MENTOR FRAMINGHAM HIGH STUDENTS


The John Andrew Mazie Memorial Foundation was established to carry o­n the legacy of John Mazie, who, in 1997 at age 26, was killed by a drunk driver.  John was an extraordinary young man who spent his adult life motivating young people to strive to become the best they could be.

No o­ne makes it in America without some kind of mentor. Whenever successful people look back, they cite those older adults who influenced their development, even though they knew each other for o­nly a short time.  For at-risk kids facing steep odds against success, finding
mentors is not o­nly helpful but essential.  They can't make it all by themselves.

Since 1998, over o­ne hundred sixty vulnerable Framingham High School sophomores have been paired by the Foundation with mentors. Volunteer mentors are needed for the next training and match-up which will take place o­n October 16 and 18, 6-9pm and Saturday, October 28 from 10am-2pm.

The students are referred by school counselors based o­n their need for an adult guide in their lives.  Mentors are asked to commit for o­ne year and spend a minimum of 8 hours per month with their mentees in activities that will raise their self esteem, encourage them to focus more o­n their education and career options, and enable them to take control over their lives.

Mentees set goals around community service, their education and their career options, and the Foundation presents achievement awards which include lap top computers.  $2000 scholarships are awarded to mentees upon high school graduation. More information about the Foundation and mentoring program can be found at http://www.mazie.org

Volunteers complete an application, Massachusetts required criminal background check (CORI), and an interview with our staff social worker to learn more
about our program.

If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity to make a positive impact o­n a young teen's life, please contact: