Mentoring program to begin this fall

Big Brothers/Big Sisters will begin its Mentor 2.0 program in the fall. Mentor 2.0 is an innovative program conducted primarily online through emails and instant messages, augmented by monthly in-person get togethers.

Its purpose is to help high school students prepare for college and career by matching them one-to-one with college-educated mentors.

It provides students with a curriculum that lasts through all four years of high school — focusing on developing the academic, social and emotional skills needed to successfully complete high school, win college admission and graduate from college, according to a news release.

CREC’s Academy of Science and Innovation (ASI) in New Britain will collaborate with Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters on Mentor 2.0, enrolling its entire incoming ninth grade class in the program. Nutmeg is recruiting volunteers so it can match all 110 ASI ninth graders with caring, inspirational mentors to help them better prepare for college and career.

“Mentor 2.0 makes it easy for busy professionals to mentor,” said Allison Holst-Grubbe, director of school-based programs at Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters. “We’re asking mentors to commit to sending a weekly message – for which we provide a prompt – to the student they’re mentoring. We’re also asking mentors to meet their mentees once each month at the Academy of Science and Innovation for a two-hour get-together conducted by Nutmeg. Mentor 2.0 is a streamlined method of mentoring designed specifically for busy professionals and students – one that pays big dividends to both students and mentors.”

“Ninth graders in public schools with weak attendance records have a very small chance of graduating from high school and college,” said Andy Fleischmann, president and CEO of Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters. “Data from other states show that Mentor 2.0 can dramatically boost students’ chances of attending and graduating from college. And Mentor 2.0 makes it easier than ever to become a Big Brother or Big Sister — since weekly online communication is not a challenge for most working professionals.”

To learn more about Mentor 2.0 or to become a mentor, visit nutmeg.imentor.org or contact Margarita Laboy, program manager, at Margarita@nbbbs.org.

Hospital holding hospice training

At Middlesex Hospital Hospice, volunteers are an integral part of the interdisciplinary team, reaching out to patients and families coping with the challenges of terminal illness.

Volunteers are eligible to begin after completing 12 hours of classes and a 12-hour mentorship with a current volunteer. Training is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 6 and 13.

Both sessions are mandatory. The program is especially in need of male volunteers and veterans. These training sessions are for volunteers who will be working in home care and nursing home settings.

For more information or to apply, contact Jaclyn Orlowski, hospice volunteer coordinator, at 860-358-6955 or jaclyn.orlowski@midhosp.org.

Literacy volunteers needed in area

WESTBROOK — Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore CT is a private nonprofit organization that trains tutors to help area residents improve their English reading, writing or speaking skills to help them in their lives and jobs. This one-to-one instruction is free and confidential for the student.

Tutor training is a 14-hour program conducted over seven sessions at the office in the Westbrook Library. The next training session begins Sept. 20 and runs through Nov. 14. Potential tutors choose either morning sessions from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or evening sessions from 7 to 9 p.m. A $25 donation is requested of each trainee to offset the cost of materials.

If interested in becoming a tutor, contact the Literacy Volunteers office in the lower level of the Westbrook Public Library at 860399-0280 or by e-mail at jargersinger@lvvs.org. Tutors are registering for the fall session now.

DRS to hold Family Fun Day in Portland

PORTLAND — Disaster Restoration Services, a member company of DKI, North America’s largest disaster-restoration contracting organization, is hosting a Family Fun Day at Portland Riverfront Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 15.

The event will include carnival games, a cornhole and jousting tournament, a bounce house, live music, crafts and food. The National Women in Roofing (NWiR) organization will host a Stuff-A-Truck to provide supplies for the Arthur C. Luf Children’s Burn Camp.

Tickets are available in advance for $10 per adult, or $5 per child, or an additional $5 more per person at the door. All proceeds will be given to the Connecticut Burns Care Foundation to provide lodging, meals and activities for the burn camp.

The camp is a safe, natural outdoor environment for children ages 8 to 18 who have survived life-altering burn injuries. To learn more about the camp, visit www.ctburnsfoundation.org.

DRS will be collecting donations for Stuff-A-Truck as well as its tea cup raffle. Sponsorships are available. If you are interested, contact DRS Vice President Tammy Strong at 860-788-6822 or tammy@drscleanup.com.

Preventing chronic conditions program

DEEP RIVER — Certified Holistic Health Coach Tracy Livingston will be at the Deep River Library from 6 to 7 p.m. Aug. 22 to talk about weight loss and preventing chronic conditions such as thyroid disease and diabetes. Livingston, who has 18 years of healing experience, is committed to helping people learn how to live a balanced life.

This class is free and open to 20 participants. Registration is required. Go to http://deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com to register or call the library for more information at 860-526-6039