Mayor Andrew Gillum is kicking off an initiative to bolster youth mentoring programs in Tallahassee. He’s partnering with Volunteer Florida and several local community agencies to reach the goal of attracting 1,000 new mentors.
“The youth of our community need guidance, encouragement, and support to dream bolder, and reach higher than they may think is possible,” said Gillum. “Mentors can serve as the catalyst for this way of thinking, and a powerful force in the development of young people in this community. Our goal is to recruit mentors from all backgrounds and experiences, to collectively invest in the future trajectory of our youth.”
Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman shares his vision for the initiative.
“Volunteering and mentoring is so rewarding,” Spellman says. “So, as people begin to give back and give just one hour a week to mentoring, I think the word will spread and we will exceed this initial of 1,000 mentors.”
Community leaders hope to recruit mentors from diverse backgrounds to help youth in need.