New Mentoring Program Receives Funding for Eight Years

Pictured L-R: Fancy Jezek, Emeritus Trustee; Ken Whipple, friend of PCHAS; Millie Land, PCHAS Mentor; and Cat Duttine, PCHAS Mentor Program Coordinator.

PCHAS has launched a mentoring program in Temple to assist children and teens. “We call the program 'Elevate' because the community is rallying around kids to lift them up and empower them,” says supervisor Michelle Villareal. “It has really been a community effort in getting this up and running. I am so grateful for those donors.”

As a Child & Family specialist in Temple, Michelle works every day with children and teens who don’t have a consistent adult presence in their lives. She explains that the initiative grew from community listening sessions that identified the need for a mentoring program on the east side of Temple.

Generous gifts from two local churches sources will finance Elevate Mentoring for its first eight years. Grace Presbyterian Church, which hosted those community listening sessions, donated the proceeds of the sale of First Presbyterian Church when that church closed and its members joined Grace Presbyterian Church. That substantial gift was given in memory of Kate Dimmitt, a beloved long-time member of First Presbyterian Church. Ken Whipple, a Grace Presbyterian Church member, made his gift in memory of his late wife, Ingrid.

Two PCHAS emeritus trustees, the Honorable Fancy Jezek and Ken Johnson, have been involved with both churches and recommended PCHAS as a recipient of the funds because of its expertise in youth development. PCHAS has successfully mentored thousands of youth in St. Louis, Missouri over the past 10 years.

Catherine "Cat" Duttine, the Temple program's coordinator, is a licensed social worker. She knows that a dependable adult helps a young person navigate life’s challenges and deal constructively with their frustrations. “Teenagers with a mentor are less likely to drop out and more likely to get along with their peers and families,” Duttine says. “Our goal is to provide experiences and growth opportunities for all children in the Temple area who would benefit from the support of community members and other organizations. We plan to partner with recreational centers, businesses, churches and restaurants to provide community meeting places.”

Numerous studies show that mentoring decreases school absences and reduces behavior problems. Youth who meet regularly with a mentor are 37% less likely than their peers to skip a class and 52% less likely to skip a day of school. Earning a high school diploma has a long-lasting impact on economic stability.

For information about becoming a paid part-time mentor, or to refer a child ages 5-19 to the program, call 800-888-1904 or contact us online.