FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peggy Gray (425)416-2033
BANK OF AMERICA AND WASHINGTON STATE MENTORS CELEBRATE THE 4C COALITION, COMMUNITY FOR YOUTH AND INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE
SEATTLE, Wash. – Three mentoring programs, the 4C Coalition, Community for Youth and International Rescue Committee will be honored by Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen and executives from Bank of America and Washington State Mentors (WSM) at a festive event at King County Superior Court (1211 E. Alder, Third Floor Conference Room) on Thursday October 4th at 2 p.m. Community members are encouraged to attend the event and celebrate the good
work these mentoring programs are doing in King County. Refreshments will be provided. Each organization will accept a $5,000 grant from the Bank of America Mentoring Initiative and Washington State Mentors.
The initiative which is funded by Bank of America and administered by WSM supports quality mentoring programs that are serving youth living in poverty, said Lt. Gov. Owen, who is co-chair of the Issaquah-based non profit. The Bank of America Mentoring Initiative funded twelve programs in Washington and one in Idaho.
“Mentoring is a potent agent for positive change in society,” Lt. Gov. Owen says. “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 America’s largest corporate philanthropies, Bank of America is excited to direct funding to help mentor children across Washington state,” said Peter Joers, President of Bank of America in Washington. “There is simply no better investment in our future than strengthening the minds and spirit of our youth. We are proud to partner with Washington State Mentors to help make this happen.”
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.
For more information go to www.washingtonmentoring.org, or contact Peggy Gray at 425-416-
2033 or pgray@wamentors.org.