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Bank of America and Washington State Mentors
collaborate in support of state’s youth
Fall, 2008
List of grant recipients and photos
Fourteen organizations across Washington have
received grants totaling $75,000 this fall from the Bank of America
Mentoring Initiative and Washington State Mentors (WSM).
The grants, funded by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation and
administered by WSM, are an effort to support quality mentoring
organizations that are serving youth living in poverty, said Lieutenant
Governor Brad Owen, who is co-chair of the Issaquah-based non-profit
organization.
“Mentoring is a potent agent for positive change in society,” Owen said.
“Research has shown that a structured and trusting relationship between
a young person and a caring adult is related to reductions in youth
pregnancy, violence and substance abuse. At the same time, mentoring is
associated with improved academic performance.”
“As one of the largest corporate contributors in the United States, Bank
of America is excited to direct funding to help mentor children across
Washington State,” said Peter Joers, Bank of America’s Washington State
President. “Strengthening the minds and spirit of our youth is truly one
of the most important investments we can make now for the future of our
communities. We are proud to partner with Washington State Mentors for
the third year to help make this happen.”
Jim Marsh, President and Chief Operating Officer of WSM added: “As the
leading advocate for mentoring in the state, we are very proud of the
work these grant winners are doing with Washington State's youth and of
the community spirit Bank of America has shown by this commitment."
Washington State Mentors is an umbrella organization for the state's
mentoring community, providing assistance with training, recruitment,
resource development, data collection, public awareness and public
policy. WSM is supported by Costco Wholesale, the state Department of
Social and Health Services and several other individuals and
organizations.
Grant Recipients
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Catholic Family and Child Service's Foster Care to
College program in Richland was the first of the 14 organizations that will
receive a grant from Washington State Mentors and the Bank of America at
a Sept. 11 ceremony in Richland. With the lieutenant governor and the
"big check" above are Jim Marsh of Washington State Mentors, Kurt Walsdorf of Bank of America, Maureen McGrath, agency director of
Catholic Family and Child Services in Richland and Darlene Darnell, the
agency's director for the Diocese of Yakima. See additional
coverage in the
Tri City Herald and
KNDU TV, and see the Lt. Governor's comments on a
video.
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Highline Big Picture High School - Oct. 6, 2008 Highline
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DSHS
Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration - Region 1 - Sept.
25, Spokane Valley
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DSHS
Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration - Region 2 Yakima
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Yakima Family YMCA - (Adult, Student, Program to Inspire, Relate
and Enrich)
ASPIRE program
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Left
Foot Organics - Olympia Oct. 14
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Olympic Educational Service District
114 -
Kitsap Alternative Transition School
October 9, 2008 |
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For more information:
Peggy Gray at (206) 276-4436
or pgray@wamentors.org.
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