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The Norwalk Mentor Program was established in 1986 as a natural outgrowth of the Norwalk Public Schools Adopt-A-School Program. Dr. Susan G. Weinberger, one of the most renowned national and international experts in the field of mentoring today, conceived, created and directed the Norwalk Mentor Program for its first twelve years. The Program began with fourteen mentors from one company, and its focus as a school-based, self-esteem building, drop-out prevention program was to match those students who were unmotivated or had low self-esteem with a positive role model and adult friend. Student and adult mentors would meet at the school site for one hour per week throughout the entire school year. The Program's original premise remains constant today - matching deserving students with positive adult role models can make a significant difference in the lives of those students served. Although the numbers of participants - mentors and mentees - and participating companies, groups and organizations continues to grow, the simple formula of consistency, commitment, caring and sharing continues to be extremely successful for the Norwalk Mentor Program.
Volunteer mentors for the Norwalk Mentor Program are recruited from a number of different corporations, social, civic, and municipal organizations, retiree and alumni groups, faith-based organizations as well as from the community-at-large. Mentors are recognized and celebrated at a Year-End Appreciation Reception, and are asked to continue with their mentee during the next school year.
New mentors must attend a two hour training session prior to beginning their meetings with their assigned
mentees. Tips, Strategies & Activities and other resources are provided to all new mentors to utilize during
their weekly meetings. Ongoing support through brown bag lunches at either the worksite or at the assigned
school provides additional opportunities for sharing successes or having questions or concerns addressed.
Individual requests for meetings with either the liaison or Program Coordinator are always welcomed and encouraged.
1990 Winner - "Creative/Exemplary Award" presented by the National
Association of Partners in Education, Inc. on November 8 1990, in Alexandria, VA 1993 Winner - "President's Volunteer Action Award" presented to the
Norwalk Mentor Program by William Clinton, President of the United States of America on
April 22, 1993, at the White House. 1999 Winner - "Recognition Award for Outstanding Commitment and Leadership
to Mentoring" presented in Hartford, CT by Drugs Don't Work!, Governor John Rowland's Prevention
Partnership. 1999 Winner - "Connecticut Mentoring Partnership's Award for
Outstanding Mentor Program for 1999" presented in Hartford, CT.