Greater Danbury Mentoring Alliance Planning Jan. 14 Event

DANBURY –– The Greater Danbury Mentoring Alliance and the United Way of Northern Fairfield County invite the public to help them celebrate National Mentoring Month in January. The month focuses national attention on the need for mentors, as well as how individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities, and nonprofits can work together to increase the number of mentors and assure brighter futures for young people as well as adults in need of guidance.

 Mentoring takes many forms –– from the classic adult and child to adults who work with families to model parenting skills and offer connections to community resources.

The United Way and the Greater Danbury Mentoring Alliance are sponsoring a celebration of mentoring on January 14 at 6 pm at the Danbury Public Library’s Farioly Program Room. The evening will feature guest speakers Dr Jefferson Wiggins and Lia Leavitt who will share their mentoring experiences both as mentors and mentees. Dr Wiggins is an author, educator, lecturer, and community leader who lives in New Fairfield. Ms Leavitt is a community speaker and educator for the Women’s Center in Danbury, as well as a community volunteer and aspiring author.

Area mentoring programs will have information and representatives available at the event for those wishing to learn more about local mentoring opportunities.

“Mentoring is so rewarding for both participants,” said Alecia Andrews, director of community building at the United Way. “It is such a tangible way to have positive impact on someone’s life. Not just for the recipient, but for the mentor as well.”

The following groups belong to the Greater Danbury Mentoring Alliance: Danbury Regional Commission on Child Care, Rights, and Abuse Volunteer Mentor Program; Children in Placement of Connecticut, Inc (advocates for children in court); Danbury Schools and Business Collaborative; Good Friend/Green Chimneys; The Volunteer Center; and Family and Children’s Aid (children in foster care).

For more information, call Alecia Andrews at the United Way of Northern Fairfield County at 792-5330, ext 27.