News & Events
United Way Mobilizes Mentors!
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| Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton emphasizes the importance of mentoring in our community to help students advance in academics and lower the city’s crime rate. |
United Way of Northeast Florida announced its local plans as part of this national call to action at a media conference held at Ft. Caroline Middle School on May 14. Through a partnership with the City of Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Children’s Commission, Duval County Public Schools, and the Mentor First Coast Task Force, United Way is launching a community mobilization effort to expand the network of volunteer mentors in schools on the First Coast. This innovative approach will focus on addressing the area’s high school drop out crisis.
In 2007, more than 2,100 Duval County public school students dropped out of school. This rate is twice the average for the state of Florida. Studies indicate that more than 60 percent of accused murderers did not finish high school and one out of seven failed to reach 9th grade. Yet, research shows that one caring adult can have a positive, lasting impact in the life of a struggling student. Students who are mentored are 52 percent less likely to skip school and 46 percent less likely to get into drugs.
Building upon its longstanding relationships with corporate and business partners, United Way has invited local businesses, companies and organizations to recruit new mentors from their ranks on a scale as never before seen on the First Coast. More than 20 businesses, including some of the region’s largest employers, have already stepped forward to lead internal mentor recruitment campaigns for the Day of Action with additional companies continuing to sign up each day.
United Way and its partners will make becoming a mentor easy by streamlining the application process. In a single day at one location, Hemming Plaza, prospective mentors can complete orientation, initial screening and basic mentor training sessions. In addition, volunteers can sign up to mentor at specific schools leading to fall-time mentor matches. To further emphasize the importance of giving back to the community, United Way’s Day of Action will also include a community rally and festival on Hemming Plaza from noon to 3 p.m. with food and family-friendly activities.
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| Martha Barrett, Duval County School Board member, and Terri Cicero, Duval County Public Schools |
“Because of our urgent need to find reliable adult mentors for students, I am pleased that the focus of United Way’s mentor recruitment effort is school-based mentoring programs,” said Duval County School Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals.
“Mentoring is the number one, most important action we can use to prevent violent crime in Jacksonville,” stated Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton. “It’s a crucial first step to close the gap on our mentor shortage, thereby reducing youth violence and helping students stay on track for graduation.”
The concerted effort aligns with goals set by Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton in the Jacksonville Journey initiative and Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals in the recently approved Duval County Public Schools Strategic Plan.
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| Duval County School Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals addresses the need for adult mentors in schools on the First Coast. |
To learn more about United Way’s Day of Action and mentor recruitment, contact Michelle Speisman at 390-3228 or visit www.liveunitednortheastflorida.org/mentor.
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