Mentoring Program to Begin Training Tomorrow

Volunteers for the “Be a 6th Grade Mentor” program will report to Heinz Field tomorrow for their first training session. An unprecedented 600-plus people have agreed to help out Pittsburgh Public School children as part of the dual United Way and Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania effort.

Allegheny County United Way President Bob Nelkin says a pent-up demand for being a mentor caused this huge influx; he says his group just needed to ask for people to step forward. Nelkin says the program will focus on the importance of finishing high school to reach one’s dreams. He says the idea is to get to kids before the pressures of high school get to them first.

Nelkin and Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt will speak at the event, which is being announced as the largest ever mentor training program in Pittsburgh. Various workshops will also accommodate about 220 of the more than 600 volunteer mentors.

Nelkin says anyone who still wants to get in on the program can still do so; applications are yet being accepted. He says not to worry if you miss this training session: more will be held in the near future. Applications and information can be found on the program’s website.