Welcome to our magnificent world of mentoring!

“I love Gunnison Valley Mentors because you have someone other than your family or friends. My Mentor helps me with homework, and I feel comfortable talking to her about what is going on at home and at school. We also go to Rumors to read books and get a nice warm hot chocolate.”

– 9yr. old Mentee

About Us

501 (c)(3)
non-profit
organization

Our Vision

Our Vision is that every child deserves a Mentor.

Our Mission

In a celebration of connection, the mission of Gunnison Valley Mentors is to promote the healthy growth of young people through one-to-one mentoring partnerships enhanced with enrichment opportunities.

Acknowledgement

Gunnison Valley Mentors honors these ancestral grounds and acknowledges, with respect, the enduring presence of the Ute Nations and numerous other Native Tribes as original stewards of the land.

Equal Opportunity

Gunnison Valley Mentors is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: Gunnison Valley Mentors is committed to the principle of equal employment / volunteer opportunity for all.

Why Mentoring Matters

At Gunnison Valley Mentors, we believe in the transformative power of mentorship. Our program connects young individuals with volunteer mentors who provide guidance, support, and friendship—helping them unlock their potential and grow into positive, contributing adults. As the only program of its kind in the area, Gunnison Valley Mentors plays a pivotal role in shaping the lives of local youth.

The impact of mentoring is undeniable. A recent program evaluation revealed remarkable improvements for our mentees: 79% increased school engagement, 83% improved adult bonding, and 78% developed positive attitudes against substance use. In 2024, we expanded our reach to support over 300 mentorships, reaffirming our commitment to fostering resilience, direction, and empowerment in every child we serve.

Over the past five years, data from the PMA program evaluation process highlights the profound benefits of mentorship. Completing a yearlong mentorship has resulted in statistically significant gains in future orientation, school commitment, adult bonding, and reduced risk-taking behavior. Additionally, mentees report positive shifts in attitudes against alcohol and drug use. These findings showcase the essential role mentors play in providing young people with the confidence and resilience to thrive.

Mentoring matters because it offers more than guidance—it provides a caring, compassionate relationship that empowers young people to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. Gunnison Valley Mentors serves as a beacon of hope in our community, equipping youth with the tools to grow, succeed, and contribute positively to society. By investing in mentorship, we are shaping a brighter future for all.

Program Newsletters

Mentorship Highlights

Annual Report

Program Reports

Mentors Team

Our Staff

Tina McGuinness

Executive Director

Tina has been with Gunnison Partners since 1997, first as a case manager and now she serves as the Executive Director. She is incredibly awesome at what she does and with her rock star attitude, she has developed a beautiful vision and foundation for Mentors and youth mentoring in Gunnison, Colorado. She enjoys hockey, cycling, running and everything else that can be done outdoors, and some indoor things too, like dance. Her love and passion is extended to her two boys and is seen in everything she does.
Please contact Tina about donations, fundraising events, board of directors questions and any other GV Mentors business related questions.
Email: tmcguinness@gvmentors.org

    Andrew Butterfield

    Program Director

    Andrew joined the GVM team in 2022 as the Bilingual Case Manager. He works to engage both Spanish language and English language speakers to fully participate in the amazing world of mentoring.  When he isn’t hanging out with his awesome and deserving mentees, you can find him in the back country on skis or with fishing gear – sometimes even simultaneously! Andrew’s four-legged buddy, Breeze, can often be found greeting visitors at the GVM office.  Andrew completed his university education right here at WCU.
    Please contact Andrew with any questions related to mentoring. You can speak the language of your heart!
    Email: abutterfield@gvmentors.org

      Megan Jelinek

      Lead Gunnison Case Manager

      Megan has been with GVMentors since 2006. As a Case Manager, Program Manager, Mentor and Mom, she is responsible for the overall coordination of our youth mentoring program. Megan has a passion for working with youth that will never burn out and it has been her dream to support Colorado youth through her work at Gunnison Valley Mentors. Megan loves working for mentors because of the enormous positive impact it can have in a youth’s life! She has an incredible ability to recruit volunteers into the mentor program! Megan enjoys time with her family getting outside and exploring the valley. She looks forward to meeting you!
      Email: mjelinek@gvmentors.org

        Johnna Bernholtz

        Lead Crested Butte Case Manager

        Johnna has been a Case Manager since 2007. She is growing the Crested Butte area partnerships; both Community Based and In-school and she coordinates the High School mentoring program as well. She has always wanted to find a way to help kids and Mentors is a perfect fit. Johnna enjoys the Colorado outdoors with her husband and two kids– they are avid skiers, hikers, bikers and enjoy family time in general. “I love GV Mentors for the difference it is making in children’s lives and the smiles we see on the kid’s faces.”
        Please contact her for more information about getting involved in Crested Butte!
        Email: jbernholtz@gvmentors.org

          Rita Merrigan

          Bilingual Case Manager

          Retired Educator Señorita Rita, joined the Gunnison Valley Mentors team in June of 2024. She enjoys working with multilingual families up and down the valley to bring together Mentoring pairs. Señorita Rita taught many years in Gunnison schools, is part of the 6 Points Residential team, and also runs the Rockin’ Reading Route Book Bus Program for anyone who loves reading. Rita enjoys all the wonderful outdoor delights of living in the Gunnison Valley, and when not outdoors, you’ll find her at home, lost in a good book.
          Email: rmerrigan@gvmentors.org

            Alfonso Morales

            Inspire Mentor | Case Manager

            Alfonso is an Inspire Mentor Case Manager at the Crested Butte Community School. He is a person who likes to help students in different subjects. Alfonso enjoys outdoor activities as a space to apply what is learned at school. Alfonso was on the Mentors board of directors since 2023 and from there he saw the work and importance of Gunnison Valley Mentors in the community. Being part of the board of directors was the impetus to continue building opportunities for the children of the valley. Alfonso is very close to the school district and has worked in the school helping new students who do not yet know English.
            Email: amorales@gvmentors.org

              Graham Spriggs

              Assistant Case Manager | InSpire Mentor

              Graham joined the GVM team in the early summer of 2023, and works as a community and school based (InSpire) mentor; meeting weekly with an assortment of kids to help them grow in positive ways. Other involvements with the program include working as an assistant case manager, and helping co-lead our summer work crew program; providing constructive guidance aimed at helping youth be more successful. Having grown up in Colorado, Graham not only shares a passion for serving Colorado’s youth, but also a passion for spending time in the wilderness. In his spare time, you can find him out with his backpack climbing and mountaineering in the Colorado alpine, riding his mountain bike, playing his guitar, or just out wandering through the woods. Graham has lived in Gunnison since 2018, and graduated college here at WCU. According to Graham: “If I could contribute even in the smallest of ways to helping someone become a better version of themselves, more capable of leading a happy and healthy life; that is the most valuable thing I could ever give somebody else.”
              Email: gspriggs@gvmentors.org

                Maria Perez Rodriquez (Esthela)

                Family Advocacy Support Team | Wraparound Facilitator

                Esthela works a newly formed, collaborative position between Gunnison County Juvenile Services and GVM.  With (F.A.S.T.)  Family Advocacy Support Team as a Wraparound Facilitator with Juvenile Services, she advocates for youth with high needs who are multi-system involved, their families, a Credentialed Family Support Partner and interdisciplinary team members to ensure access to needed resources and prioritize the family’s ownership within their plan of care.  Esthela then runs to the Gunnison Community School and serves as an InSpire Mentor, meeting weekly with students for 1:21 relationship building and guidance to help them succeed within their education. Esthela says that “knowing my job is to help kids achieve their full potential and help them feel happier and better about themselves brings a smile to my face. I love that Gunnison Valley Mentors is making a difference in lives of children and youth.
                Email: erodriguez@gvmentors.org

                  Ford McInnis

                  Crested Butte InSpire Mentor

                  Email: fmcinnis@gvmentors.org

                    Makenna McIntosh

                    Gunnison InSpire Mentor

                    Email: mmcintosh@gvmentors.org

                      Natalia Linares

                      PLUS Mentor

                      My name is Natalia. I am from Colombia, and I have lived in Gunnison since 2021. I am obsessed with the beauty of Colorado, and my favorite activity is taking road trips with my husband and my two children to explore this state. I love Gunnison, and I enjoy being part of all the activities we have, or at least I try to. Helping is not just a service for me, but something that makes me happy.
                      Email:

                        Jessica Noll

                        PLUS Mentor

                        Email: jnoll@gvmentors.org

                          Malcolm Boyce

                          PLUS Mentor

                          Email: mboyce@gvmentors.org

                            Lorena Gomez

                            Family Advocate

                            Email: lgomez@western.edu

                              Carson Wagner

                              Marketing, Communications, Evaluation & Data Manager

                              Email: cwagner@gvmentors.org

                                Fabrianna Ayala

                                Bookkeeper

                                Email: fayala@gvmentors.org

                                  Kylie McCoy

                                  Social Media

                                  Kylie was an Inspire Mentor at the Crested Butte Community School and a Community-based Mentor for GVM. She helped with our monthly activities, such as skiing and paddle boarding, so that mentees can come and enjoy what GVM has to offer free of charge! She also helped with High School Mentoring after school.
                                  She has worked for Mentor’s since the summer of 2021 and loves working for this non-profit. She says she “can see firsthand that we are making a difference in these kid’s lives”. When she is not working, she enjoys skiing, mountain biking and hiking with her dog and partner!
                                  Email: kmccoy@gvmentors.org

                                    Our Board

                                    President: Antonio Valdez

                                    Vice President: Kerry Lefebvre

                                    Interim Secretary: Mike Robillard

                                    Treasurer: Anne Coster

                                     

                                    Members:

                                    Amy Bright

                                    David Haedt

                                    Charles Welch
                                    Chad Zummach
                                    Jansen Tredway

                                    Jose Santander
                                    Lorena Mosquera

                                    Words from the Staff

                                    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.

                                    Change for Kids

                                    Local businesses collect a voluntary 1% to support Mentors and youth in the Gunnison Valley!

                                    Mentor Trainings

                                    In these trainings, you will be provided resources that will help to understand who we serve.

                                    Ten Min. Tips

                                    These resources are made with our participants in mind; however, the community is welcome too!

                                    Community Events

                                    This Community Calendar is a regional one-stop calendar where you can all find local events!

                                    Becoming a Mentor

                                    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.

                                    Referring a Youth

                                    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.

                                    Tips & Resources

                                    Refer Youth

                                    Become a Mentor

                                    Our History

                                    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.