Who: The Delaware Mentoring Council, Mayor James M. Baker of Wilmington and various community stakeholders showing interest in a proposal to establish a Greater Wilmington Mentoring Commission. (Business and Government leaders, School District Superintendents and Mentoring Program representatives)
What: Early morning exploratory meeting to discuss the interest in establishing a city commission around youth mentoring. Speakers were Dr. Claudio Cerullo, Mayor James M. Baker, Tom Stevenson, Seth Baker and Chandra Pitts, advocating the need for youth mentoring in the city schools and schools outside city limits that serve city youth. Business leaders and superintendents discussed issues as well as solutions.
Where: Meeting was held at Double Tree Hotel in Downtown Wilmington. Initiative is to focus on schools in city of Wilmington, as well as schools outside city limits that serve city youth. Elementary, Middle, Intermediate, Charter and Alternative schools as well, partnering with businesses locally, within the city of Wilmington as well as surrounding areas.
When: Groundbreaking meeting to form working committee and explore interest was held on February 15, 2008. First meeting for working committee will be held March 13, 2008.
Why: Meeting was called in order to address the need for more mentors of youth in the city of Wilmington, with the goal of providing a mentor for every child who needs one. Wilmington has a great need for mentors, so with the Greater Wilmington Mentoring Commission, this need will be addressed.
“A lot of kids need help out there. We’re losing too many kids; we’re getting them too late.”
(Mayor James M. Baker)
“I made a promise to Mayor Baker to bring action into the city of Wilmington. No more theory, but action.”
(Dr. Claudio Cerullo, Delaware Mentoring Council)
“Motivation is key; even if we make a difference for 10 kids.”
(Dr. John Hartman, University of Delaware)
“Kids are acting out symptoms of their environment.”
(Chandra Pitts, Latin American Community Center)
