News Release – For Immediate Release

Contact:  Mai-Anh Kapanke

               Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota

               612.370.9169 Direct

               651.357.2823 Cell

               mai-anhk@mentoringworks.org

Governor Pawlenty supports Minnesota youth who want to “Pay It Forward”

(Minneapolis-January 4, 2006) With Governor Tim Pawlenty standing behind them, youth benefiting from mentoring relationships will take a front seat to drive the mentoring movement.  On January 4, 2006, the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota’s Executive Youth Board and other young people will speak about their life-changing mentoring experiences at a press conference to kick off the 5th Annual National Mentoring Month at Roosevelt High School (4029 28th Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55406) at

3 p.m. in the main gymnasium.  A St. Paul girl who was chosen to meet with First Lady Laura Bush to speak at the White House Conference on Helping America’s Youth in Washington, DC, will share her mentoring story and talk about her visit with both the First Lady and President Bush. 

 “When I leave the Executive Youth Board, I hope to accomplish my goal of helping other kids get mentors and to also become a mentor,” says Mitch of St. Cloud.  Mitch is matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota.  “My mentor Larry has helped me raise my grades, learn to respect adults and believe in myself.  I want that for other kids,” he says.  Jaci from Duluth, Minnesota says, “Mentors are like potters and we are a pile

of clay waiting to be shaped and formed into beautiful ceramic vases.”

Following the press conference, the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, General Electric (GE) and Minnesota mentoring programs will host the GE Mentor Carnival to celebrate business and community volunteers who give their time to help children succeed.  More than 200 mentors and mentees, legislators and business representatives will join the festivities from 5-7 p.m.  Activities include indoor mini-golf, inflatable obstacle courses, food and other great carnival activities.  The GE Mentor Carnival is a partnership between General Electric, the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities, Kinship of Greater Minneapolis, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, Mentor Duluth, Bolder Options, La Oportunidad and Hennepin County.  

The Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota leads the National Mentoring Month campaign in Minnesota.  The campaign provides an opportunity for our state and nation to devote its attention to recruit volunteer mentors for 450,000 Minnesota young people and 17 million children nationwide who are in need of a mentor and are at risk of not achieving their full potential. 

National Mentoring Month is sponsored by General Electric, Ceridian Corporation, IWCO Direct and Next Media.

The Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota is the driving force in the mentoring movement.  Our efforts translate into more caring adult mentoring a generation of children and youth at every level of our community.  Celebrating 10 years of growing the mentoring movement.

A website has been established for individuals interested in finding out more about mentoring.  Please visit www.mentoringworks.org or call 612-370-9180

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Editor’s Note:  Last names of youth are generally not published.  Mentors and young people as well as local mentoring experts are available for interviews. 

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