Night in Brockton reveals mentoring need
Letter to the editor - January 30, 2009
How sobering and yet how inspiring it was to be at the Shaw's Center among a diverse gathering of 250 compassionate people on Jan. 22 to hear about the urgent need of our youth for mentors to support and guide them through the many challenges of life.
Our commendations to Mark Frey, executive director of Community Connections of Brockton and chair of Brockton Promise's Caring Adults Committee, for coordinating such a worthy event. Thanks also go to Mayor James Harrington for making clear that the welfare of the youth in Brockton is one of his administration's primary concerns and for encouraging the crowd to consider becoming mentors. Heather Arrighi, director of Program Services for the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office and chair of Brockton Promise's Opportunities to Help Others Committee, deserves credit for emphasizing the value of mentoring as a vital tool of prevention.
Though Brockton Community Health Network Area, Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, Brockton's Promise, Community Connections of Brockton, HarborOne, Mass Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Plymouth District Attorney's Office, The Shaw's Center, South Bay Mental Health, and United Way of Greater Plymouth County co-sponsored the event, the real stars of the evening were David and Bob, two "bigs" of the Big Brother Big Sister program of the Old Colony YMCA who spoke "from the heart" about their life-changing experiences volunteering to spend time with young people who really needed them. David Powell, program director of Big Brother Big Sister, did a terrific job both in welcoming everyone to the event and in interviewing these self-described average, but "extraordinary" men.
DENNIS P. CARMAN
President and CEO, United Way of Greater Plymouth County
Brockton