Western Youth Network plays role for youths' future
by Sherrie Norris
January has been an exceptional month at Western Youth Network in Boone — as most months are, but having a national focus placed on what the organization does best, makes it all the more special.
On Jan. 3, 2012 President Barack Obama issued a proclamation designating January as National Mentoring Month, saying, “Every day, mentors help young Americans face the challenges of growing into adulthood. By setting a positive example and sharing their time, knowledge and experience, mentors play an essential role in preparing our nation's youth for a bright future. During National Mentoring Month, we celebrate the contributions of all those who cultivate a supportive environment for the next generation, and we recommit to expanding mentorship opportunities across our country.”
The message of mentoring — and its overwhelmingly positive effects — is evident at WYN, where, for 27 years, staff and volunteers have walked side-by-side with area youth and their families.
WYN was created in 1985, as a result of the community's outcry for more local services for its young people. Originally housed at New River Mental Health, WYN received grant funding for its first program through the governor's One-on-One initiative, sponsored by the N.C. Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention program.
Soon, the services, funding and community support began to blossom into a productive long-term outreach, with a former abandoned building transformed into an attractive recreation space for youth, as well as administrative space for the WYN staff.
WYN's intense concentration on providing services and support to Watauga County youngsters and their families grew as more needs became apparent. By 1994, WYN began receiving grant support from the High Country United Way and the DJJDP Support Our Students initiative.
In 2002, additional funding and heightened awareness made it possible for WYN to being expanding its mentoring programs into a greater service area — covering the counties of Watauga, Avery and, eventually, Ashe.
With time and increased stability, WYN's board of directors and staff prioritized programs and initiatives that took the outreach to greater heights.
The “heart” of WYN, however, has never changed, said director, Jennifer Grubb. “We take the time to build relationships. We meet kids where they are and introduce them to good role models. We give kids a safe place to be and grow. We have always been about helping the kids of the High Country challenge themselves, learn about others and find their place in our community and our world.”
And, it works. “I believe what we do is worthwhile and that it has made a tremendous impact on the community,” she said. “WYN has survived this long and has become the premiere youth serving agency in the High Country. “
National Mentoring Month has been a time to celebrate programs like WYN and the individuals who choose to impact their community by providing a positive supportive role model.
According to Angela McMann, director of WYN's mentoring program, volunteer mentors gave 3,525 hours to area youth in 2011.
While she admits the current roster of 51 mentors “is the largest number we've ever had,” it's not enough, she said. “We still have 16 girls and 42 boys on the waiting list for mentors.”
A few more recent statistics from WYN's mentoring program include the following:
• 67 young people were served during 2011.
• 80 percent of youth who had been referred to the program from law enforcement or juvenile court showed no new involvement in the justice system.
• 55 percent of current-match mentors are ASU students.
• 40 percent of current-match mentors are continuing past their one-year commitment.
As National Mentoring Month is coming to an end, the need for adult volunteer mentors will never end, said McMann.
“This year, we are issuing a special challenge to the community to impact a child's life through becoming a mentor,” she said. “A one-year commitment to spend approximately two hours a week with a youngster can change lives forever.”
For more information, contact McMann at (828) 264-5174 or (mcmanna@westernyouthnetwork.org)
On Jan. 3, 2012 President Barack Obama issued a proclamation designating January as National Mentoring Month, saying, “Every day, mentors help young Americans face the challenges of growing into adulthood. By setting a positive example and sharing their time, knowledge and experience, mentors play an essential role in preparing our nation's youth for a bright future. During National Mentoring Month, we celebrate the contributions of all those who cultivate a supportive environment for the next generation, and we recommit to expanding mentorship opportunities across our country.”
The message of mentoring — and its overwhelmingly positive effects — is evident at WYN, where, for 27 years, staff and volunteers have walked side-by-side with area youth and their families.
WYN was created in 1985, as a result of the community's outcry for more local services for its young people. Originally housed at New River Mental Health, WYN received grant funding for its first program through the governor's One-on-One initiative, sponsored by the N.C. Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention program.
Soon, the services, funding and community support began to blossom into a productive long-term outreach, with a former abandoned building transformed into an attractive recreation space for youth, as well as administrative space for the WYN staff.
WYN's intense concentration on providing services and support to Watauga County youngsters and their families grew as more needs became apparent. By 1994, WYN began receiving grant support from the High Country United Way and the DJJDP Support Our Students initiative.
In 2002, additional funding and heightened awareness made it possible for WYN to being expanding its mentoring programs into a greater service area — covering the counties of Watauga, Avery and, eventually, Ashe.
With time and increased stability, WYN's board of directors and staff prioritized programs and initiatives that took the outreach to greater heights.
The “heart” of WYN, however, has never changed, said director, Jennifer Grubb. “We take the time to build relationships. We meet kids where they are and introduce them to good role models. We give kids a safe place to be and grow. We have always been about helping the kids of the High Country challenge themselves, learn about others and find their place in our community and our world.”
And, it works. “I believe what we do is worthwhile and that it has made a tremendous impact on the community,” she said. “WYN has survived this long and has become the premiere youth serving agency in the High Country. “
National Mentoring Month has been a time to celebrate programs like WYN and the individuals who choose to impact their community by providing a positive supportive role model.
According to Angela McMann, director of WYN's mentoring program, volunteer mentors gave 3,525 hours to area youth in 2011.
While she admits the current roster of 51 mentors “is the largest number we've ever had,” it's not enough, she said. “We still have 16 girls and 42 boys on the waiting list for mentors.”
A few more recent statistics from WYN's mentoring program include the following:
• 67 young people were served during 2011.
• 80 percent of youth who had been referred to the program from law enforcement or juvenile court showed no new involvement in the justice system.
• 55 percent of current-match mentors are ASU students.
• 40 percent of current-match mentors are continuing past their one-year commitment.
As National Mentoring Month is coming to an end, the need for adult volunteer mentors will never end, said McMann.
“This year, we are issuing a special challenge to the community to impact a child's life through becoming a mentor,” she said. “A one-year commitment to spend approximately two hours a week with a youngster can change lives forever.”
For more information, contact McMann at (828) 264-5174 or (mcmanna@westernyouthnetwork.org)