Give Back, Be a Mentor

White Plains is celebrating National Mentoring Month and honored the city’s youth mentors at a reception Tuesday.

The s mentoring program was started by the Greater White Plains Council for Community Services in 1988 and has since put hundreds of people in contact with hundreds of caring adults who love kids and can help them make their dreams a reality.

“This is really what we are here to do, help make our community better for all,” said Youth Bureau Director Frank Williams. “It’s not about the youth bureau, it’s about everyone in this room who thinks more of others than themselves.”

According to Williams, New York State is one of the foremost states in regards to mentoring, which helps students to finish high school and build confidence. Those students often return to mentor others, to return the kindnesses they were shown. 

“Thank you for what you’ve done to help young people on a path of success in life,” said Williams. “I think this type of activity spreads so that these young people will come up in the spirit of volunteerism.”

Mayor Tom Roach says once people start they often can’t stop volunteering. 

“We live in a busy world where everyone says they have no time for anything and everyone is focused on themselves,” said Roach. “Let’s demonstrate that that’s not the case in the city of White Plains. If anything, we have a higher presence of people who want to be active.” 

Roach is currently crafting a volunteer initiative for the city. 

“I feel we have a such a strong community spirit in this city among the people who live here and the businesses who do business here,” said Roach. “I encourage everyone to get together.” 

Roach said that if someone does have the urge to volunteer he wants them to have a clear path to do so. The mentor program seeks individuals with different talents and interests to help children learn in different ways, as well as succeed in moving forward and pursing their passions. Mentors include business owners, fireman, policeman, teachers, professionals and others who can provide creative and sound guidance.

Contact Sheila Foley, the head of the mentoring program, at 914-422-1378 or sfoley@whiteplainsny.gov for more information about the White Plains Youth Bureau mentoring program.

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