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Human Services Council's Breakfast Marks 30 Years Of Norwalk Mentor Program

NORWALK, Conn. -- The Norwalk Mentor Program is celebrating its 30-year anniversary next week with a fundraiser breakfast aimed at keeping the program going for another several decades.

The Human Services Council operates the Norwalk Mentor Program.

The Human Services Council operates the Norwalk Mentor Program.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The Jan. 13 breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. will take place at The Norwalk Inn, 99 East Ave., Norwalk. Tickets cost $30 per person.

The Norwalk Mentor Program was the first of its kind in the country. Today, the program serves children in 19 of the city's public schools.

Program Director Nancy Pratt said the Mentor Program seeks to match as many adults to deserving children in grades K-12 as possible.

Once matched, mentors spend one hour per week with their mentees throughout the entire school year.

"Sometimes a mentor is the only stable adult in a child’s life and someone they can depend on and look up to," Pratt said. "Our program rewards both the mentor and mentee with a life-changing experience. Our hope is that children who are mentored excel in life and aspire to reach many goals and dreams."

Many child mentees later return to the group as adults to mentor the next generation.

The process of becoming a mentor with the group is extensive and includes background checks, a tuberculin test and a detailed interview process designed to ensure a safe and healthy relationship between the mentor and mentee.

For tickets to the Jan. 13 breakfast, contact Kim Killoy, director of Development & Communication, at (203) 849-1111 X3023 or kkilloy@hscct.org.

To learn more about the Norwalk Mentor Program and other programs, visit its Facebook page or find it on Twitter.

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