Mentoring Today for Tomorrow inc's Efforts Help Dramatically Improve Grades for Local Youth

Sept. 20, 2010 - PRLog -- Murrieta based non-profit group, Mentoring Today for Tomorrow Inc. (MTFT) continues to live by its Founder, Eva Johnson’s vision, to provide a public benefit to the youth in the local community.  MTFT focuses on providing these youth with  opportunities that will foster positive social face-to- face interaction as well as increase academic performance.  This vision has been realized by the selfless efforts of all the Mentors who have committed their time and energy to the hundreds of Mentees currently enrolled in the program.  

Below are examples of some of the MTFT Mentees success stories.

Breanna Murphy, passed the exit exam and is a proud High School graduate with a GPA of 2.25. “It was a blast mentoring Breanna.” said her long-time Mentor Jessica Smith.  Jessica continues by saying “We really bonded.  She graduated on June 11th.  It was so rewarding to see her walk across the stage. We did it!!.” Breanna will be attending RCC (Riverside Community College) this fall.

Another success story is that of Shawntia Williams, eighth grader. Shawntia went from a .73 GPA to a 2.0 GPA. Her Mentor, Donna Szynal had this to say about her experience with Shawntia. “Over the course of the last nine months, I have had the wonderful opportunity to mentor Shawntia. Our time together has been occupied with everything from homework assistance to activities including bowling, taking walks,  arts and crafts, going for ice cream, and sitting around talking.  We are presently trying to write a book together.  Having the privilege to serve as one of the supportive constants in her life, week after week, has begun to pay dividends for both of us. Shawntia's reluctance to share feelings and ideas has diminished and she is now more able to focus on what girls her age should be focusing on such as personal growth and a positive self-awareness. For me nothing has been more rewarding and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity.”

Proud Mentor, Bob Kowell shared the following about the time he has spent with his Mentee.  “My mentee, Trevione Williams, was getting very poor grades in high school. I went to his home once a week, for an hour, to try to get him to see that improving his grades was to his best interest. I studied with him. I tried to make learning fun, but, at the same time, knowing that it wasn't easy. When he saw that I cared, he cared and improved his grades from .57 to about 2.5 for the last two semesters.”  Bob has not only helped this young man improve academically but has also shared some other important skills such as making out a check book and other life skills. Bob concluded by saying “I want him to succeed in life and I know he knows that.”

Jose Reyes, seventh grader, was recognized for most improved student by bringing his “D” grades to “As” and one “B”.   “He is doing extremely well” said his very proud Mentor, Brian Aguirre. “I  am extremely proud of Jose.  Since I started mentoring with him, he has become more and more excited about education and he is understanding the importance of it.  Not just his grades but also his outlook on life and his future.  He sees more than just skateboarding or bmx racing (his hobbies) and has come to realize how great he is at design and mechanics.” Brian continues, “ I think he just needed someone to show him that it is cool to do schoolwork and not be ashamed that he is behind in certain subjects.”  

MTFT would like to take this opportunity to Thank all of the Mentors in the program for their remarkable dedication to serve and provide a much needed support and guidance for today’s youth and tomorrow’s leaders.  

In light of the fact that the program has been designed as a no-cost benefit to the community, the program relies on contributions through grants, sponsorships, fund-raising events, and public contributions. In order to increase mentor recruitment and training, MTFT received a $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation in May, 2010.

To learn more about MTFT please visit their website at http://www.mentortoday.org

To become a Mentor or to sign up your child or teen for Mentoring classes, please contact MTFT via mail, phone, fax, or email at:

40960 California Oaks Road #276
Murrieta, California 92562

Phone: (951) 473-4419
Fax: (951) 894-2705
Email: admin@mentortoday.org
www.mentortoday.org

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MTFT is a non-profit educational public benefit organization committed to shaping the character of our youth so that they may become effective leaders of tomorrow. They serve as a catalyst to unify parents, educators, and other community agencies.