Longview — Thousands of Longview-area young people have been assisted through the city’s mentoring program since it was founded in 1996, but the need remains for even more to be helped.
Lyndell McAllister, director of the Longview Partners in Prevention Mentoring Program, said 168 children are being served by volunteers in one-to-one mentoring relationships, but more volunteers are needed.
“We have about 50 children right now who need mentors but are without,” McAllister said.
With more mentoring volunteers, the program could be expanded to give more youngsters the advantages gained by having an adult spend time with them.
“It’s never a waste of time to invest in the life of a child,” McAllister said.
“Mentoring is a small volunteer opportunity, but it can make a huge difference in the lives of children — it’s simple, but it’s important.”
The next training session for people interested in participating as mentors is from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Image caption: Lyndell McAllister teaches a training session for people who want to become a mentor in the City of Longview's Partners in Prevention mentoring program on Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 (Michael Cavazos/News-Journal Photo)
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