The Mentoring Institue-News & Events
Thank Your Mentor Day Letter Contest Celebration
On January 21, 2010, over 35 mentors, mentees and staff from United Way’s Mentoring Institute of Coastal Fairfield County partners gathered to celebrate Thank Your Mentor Day and to recognize the winner of The Mentoring Institute Thank Your Mentor letter writing contest at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. United Way’s Men toring Champion Susan Davis, RN, EdD, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Vincent’s Medical Center, hosted the event.
Mentees from participating mentoring programs wrote thank you letters to their mentors highlighting the reasons why they are thankful for their friendship. Each program conducted its own contest and selected winning letters to represent them in the overall Mentoring Institute contest. Mentees, along with their mentors, whose letters were chosen attended the event and received a certificate of appreciation. Brianna Williams, the overall winner, read her letter, which was published in area newspapers as part of a public awareness ad campaign on Thank Your Mentor Day, January 21st.
“The students really enjoyed the contest,” stated Soraya Bilbao, United Way Manager of The Mentoring Institute. “Each letter was heartfelt, making it very difficult for the committee to choose an overall winner.”
Ellen Tracy, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern CT reflected, “It is wonderful that we are recognizing the special bond between Brianna and her mentor Amber. We are so proud of Brianna and thankful for Amber and all the other mentors who take the time to make a difference in a young person’s life.”
Susan Davis, herself a mentor, commented that just like mentees, mentors too have much for which they are thankful. Many mentors report experiencing a great sense of satisfaction after they spend time with their mentee. A mentoring relationship also gives mentors the opportunity to learn new skills, such as learning how to play basketball or learning the words to a cool song!
