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National Training Kicks Off Third Year of Mentoring Program
The National Native American Mentoring Program conducted a national training to kick-off 2006-2007 program implementation. The training, held in Phoenix, Arizona November 14-15, brought together Mentoring Program Coordinators, Club Executive Directors, National Program partners, and special guests to discuss the expansion and enhancement of the program.
Spencer Willie, Program Manager from the Navajo Nation welcomed attendees, discussed the progress made in the first two years, and gave an overview of plans for the upcoming year. His remarks were immediately followed by an address from Deborah Yatsko, Program Manager of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Ms. Yatsko discussed the National Mentoring Children of Prisoners program and emphasized the interest President Bush and Congressional leaders have in the program. She noted that the White House is particularly interested in the progress made by grantees. She reviewed new programmatic guidelines and announced that grant funds will be available in 2007 for new awardees. Ms. Yatsko concluded by thanking the attendees for their dedication and hard work and encouraging them to continue making progress.
Dr. Susan Weinberger, President of Mentor Consulting Group, facilitated many training sessions, including discussions of lessons learned, National Mentoring Month, mentor training, and effective communication skills. Guest speakers included Rita Cooksey, Female Offender Manager of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, who discussed the value of partnerships with prison systems, and Mark LoMurray, Project Director of the North Dakota Tribal/Rural Mentoring Partnership, who gave insights into lessons learned through years of working in rural and tribal communities. His presentation offered recommendations for recruitment opportunities and program sustainability.
That evening, the group enjoyed a meal together at El Torito Mexican Restaurant. During the gathering, Spencer Willie announced the winners of two programmatic awards. Charles Goodwin of the IWASIL Boys & Girls Club in Seattle, WA was recognized for gaining the most new matches in the past quarter. Lynette Dixon of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Three Affiliated Tribes was recognized for making the most matches during the 2005-2006 program year. Each Mentoring Coordinator was presented with a blanket from the Navajo Nation. The evening meal offered participants an opportunity to discuss their mentoring programs and local Clubs.
The training concluded with a Talking Circle. Participants left Phoenix with a renewed dedication to the program and specific goals for the upcoming year.
The National Native American Mentoring Program is a three-year national initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Navajo Nation. The program currently serves more than 200 children of prisoners, with a goal of establishing a consistent, caring relationship between the child and an adult mentor. All mentoring activities take place at the local Boys & Girls Club. Sixteen Boys & Girls Clubs in seven states are grant recipients. Click here for more information.
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