Mentoring is a critical element to a child's social, emotional and cognitive development. It builds a sense of industry and competency, boosts academic performance and broadens horizons. Without a doubt, young people who have the benefit of caring adult mentors navigate the path to adulthood more successfully.

In 2001, Family & Children's First Council established The Mentoring Collaborative of Montgomery County after research indicated that many children in Dayton/Montgomery County have poor attendance, low test scores; lack basic skills and are subject to very negative social conditions, which have contributed to the high drop-out rate within Montgomery County.

From 2001-2006, MCMC was focused on providing quality recruitment and screening for agencies in Montgomery County with a comprehensive marketing and recruitment plan and targeted state and federal screening. Thanks to partnerships and strong collaborations, MCMC has been a driving force to increase the visibility of the need and the number of caring, supportive mentor/mentee relationships in Montgomery County from 2,500 documented in 2001 to more than 23,000 documented in 2006.

Based on recent strategic planning and an examination of mentoring best practices, it is recommended that the community build on the existing program and the MCMC act on a revised emphasis to provide partner agencies with resources to support to strengthen mentoring programs within Montgomery County. The Montgomery County Mentoring Collaborative has been designated to become “mentoring central” for Montgomery County. To help close the gap between the number of youth who need mentors and the number of volunteers who make the commitment, the MCMC will provide leadership, training, advocacy and a rallying point for mentoring within Montgomery County, through a mentoring resource center.

After five years, The Mentoring Collaborative of Montgomery County has revised its mission and developed a strategic plan resulting in the mentoring resource center with the following new emphasis:

~ Training of partner agencies, mentors and mentees
~ Continued Background checks
~ Enhanced technical support
~ Continued Marketing of "Mentoring" brand
~ Continued Mentor Recruitment Support Plan for partner agencies

The Montgomery County Mentoring Collaborative has moved to a Resource Center concept similar to the Fast Forward concept for out of school youth. The emphasis of the MCMC will be structured around the training of partner agencies, mentors and mentees based upon "Elements of Effective Practice" (MENTOR/National Mentor Partnership).

The partner agencies who embrace the "Elements of Effective Practice" will receive the MCMC's "certification designation." These certifications of "Best Practice" will be recognized as valuable organization assets within partner agencies applying for funding from the county, foundations, state and national government sources. The certification will represent a quality standard for schools, parents or guardians.

                                                                                        Left to right: Kim Gambrell (Mentoring Collaborative),  Kathy Bates (Mentor),

                                                                                        Peter Mosley (Mentor), Commissioner Deborah Lieberman, John Allerding (Mentor),

                                                                                        Allen Booker (Mentor), Krystal Thomas (Mentor), Commissioner Dan Foley and

                                                                                        Mark Baker (Mentoring Collaborative).