GV Mentors plays a pivotal role in shaping the lives of young individuals by providing them with the guidance, support, and friendship of volunteer mentors. The impact of mentoring cannot be understated. As the only program of its kind in the area, Gunnison Valley Mentors recognizes the significance of mentors in helping young people fulfill their potential and become positive, contributing adults.
One of the key achievements of the Mentors program lies in its ability to effectively address recidivism among juvenile offenders. The remarkable reduction of 65 to 75 percent in the recidivism rate showcases the transformative power of mentorship. By serving as role models and pointing kids in healthy directions, mentors make a lasting impact on the lives of their mentees, steering them away from a path of re-offending and towards a brighter future.
Moreover, the compelling data collected over the past five years through the PMA program evaluation process underscores the value of mentorships. Completing a yearlong mentorship has led to statistically significant improvements in crucial areas such as self-esteem, self-confidence, future orientation, school bonding, and risk-taking behavior for mentees. Additionally, mentees have shown positive changes in their attitudes towards alcohol and drug use. These findings emphasize the transformative influence mentors have on the lives of young individuals, instilling in them the confidence, resilience, and direction they need to thrive.
Mentoring matters because it provides young people with more than just guidance; it offers them a caring and compassionate relationship that empowers them to overcome challenges and reach their full potential. The Mentors program is a beacon of hope for the youth in the community, fostering their personal growth and development while equipping them with the necessary skills to lead fulfilling lives. By investing in mentoring, GV Mentors is making a lasting difference in the lives of young individuals, helping them become positive contributors to society and shaping a brighter future for all.
President: David Haedt
Vice President: Kerry Lefebvre
Secretary: Marcia Landwehr
Interim Treasurer: Anne Coster
Members:
Alfonso Morales
Antonio Valdez
Carol Kastning
Chad Zummach
Jansen Tredway
Lorena Mosquera
Mike Robillard
WCU Student Liaison:
Jack Reeves
At Gunnison Valley Mentors, we hold a grand hope – that each and every one of you will make the choice to mentor a child. Despite our efforts and the support of over 250 youth, there are always more than 30 young individuals patiently waiting for someone to step forward and offer them a little extra time and attention.
The opportunity to influence a child’s life is immense and profound. We urge our mentors to invest genuine effort in getting to know their Mentees. Sharing personal stories, experiences, education, challenges, and struggles is encouraged. Through this process, our young people can discover their own potential and possibilities.
We firmly believe that each one of us has the capacity to transcend the circumstances we were born into. This belief lies at the heart of mentoring – the understanding that with hard work and perseverance, anyone can shape the life they desire.
To our mentors, we ask for the gift of their valuable time, to dedicate themselves to their Mentees’ growth and development. And to the Mentees, we ask for just one thing – to give back by becoming mentors to others. The beauty of being a mentor is that age is no barrier; anyone can take up this noble role.
The most rewarding expression of gratitude from Mentees to their mentors is when they, in turn, help lift others up. We all have the ability to be that guiding force for someone else.
At Gunnison Valley Mentors, our unwavering commitment is driven by a vision that every child deserves a mentor. Take a moment to reflect on this statement. No matter how high we climb in life, we can always choose to reach back and offer a helping hand to a child in need.
Join us in making a difference, one mentorship at a time, as we work together to create a community where every young person can realize their potential and build a brighter future for themselves and those around them.
Requirements to become a mentor include being at least 18 years old, interested in working with young people, dependable, and willing to adhere to program policies. Mentors must also complete the screening process, attend training sessions, communicate regularly with program staff, and have a good driving record and clean criminal history. Additionally, mentors must not use illicit drugs or abuse alcohol or controlled substances and must not be in treatment for substance abuse or a mental disorder.
The youth registration process commences with a referral from an adult in the child’s life who recognizes the potential benefits of having a mentor for the child. If school staff is referring a youth, they are required to contact the family first and obtain consent to release information. Once the referral form is submitted, a staff member from Gunnison Valley Mentors may contact the referral source to gather additional information. Subsequently, caregivers will be reached out to in order to schedule a meeting and complete any necessary paperwork.
Gunnison Valley Mentors (GVM) has a rich history rooted in the belief that caring adults can make a positive and tangible difference in the lives of youth. It all began in the mid-1980s when a mentoring effort called “Children’s Champions” gained traction in Gunnison County, Colorado. Inspired by this movement, a group of dedicated local citizens including Tim Holt, Nick Lypps, Steve Patrick, Nancy Riemer, Janet Reinman, Tina Swift, and Kathy Young came together and founded Gunnison Hinsdale Youth Services, Inc., later known as Gunnison Country Partners, in 1990.
In its early years, GVM primarily provided mentoring services within the juvenile justice system, supporting youth at high risk of delinquency and substance abuse. However, the organization’s vision expanded over time, and it began offering a wide range of positive educational programs and services to benefit children and families in the community. These included the Senate Bill 94 Community Evaluation Team and in-take screening, Bright Beginnings/Warm Welcome for newborns and toddlers, Restitution Work Crew for juveniles involved in community service, an outdoor wilderness experience program for ages 14-18, the Summer Youth Program, parenting classes and workshops, teen pregnancy prevention, a Community Assets Coalition, and a program with paid mentors for youth already engaged with the justice system.
During its early years, GVM relied heavily on funding from state government sources, with over 90% of its financial support coming from that avenue. However, in 2003, the organization faced significant challenges when state funding cuts forced many of the aforementioned programs to discontinue. Mentoring, Bright Beginnings/Warm Welcome, and the Senate Bill 94 initiatives remained relatively intact.
In 2006, a change in leadership brought about a transformational shift for GVM. The board of directors conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the organization’s programs, aligning them with the mission and available funding. With a commitment to focus solely on becoming the premier mentoring organization, the board made the difficult decision to let go of programs and services peripheral to the mission. This renewed focus led to remarkable growth, increasing the number of youth served in mentoring relationships from 37 in 2006 to 229 in 2014.
As part of its continued dedication to youth development, GVM also operates the Summer Youth Program, a leadership-skills-based day camp serving 100 children between the ages of 6 and 11 each summer. This engaging program offers a variety of outdoor activities designed to foster self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Additionally, in 2016, GVM introduced the Youth Townie Work Corps, offering practical job skills and insights into future career paths to youth aged 12-15 through various projects throughout the valley.
The shift in board culture and the unwavering commitment to mentoring have brought about significant positive changes for GVM. These include a more diversified funding base, the establishment of a permanent home at the 8th St School Mentoring Center, increased impact on the youth served, and a stronger presence within the community.
Today, Gunnison Valley Mentors continues to be a beacon of hope, providing youth with caring mentors who guide, support, and empower them to realize their full potential. With a rich history and a steadfast commitment to mentoring, GVM remains dedicated to transforming the lives of young individuals and building a brighter future for our community.
