Quotes
“In my days at the Agency of Human Services, the big "Aha!" for me was seeing the amazing difference that families and tight-knit communities - mutually supporting people - can make. Governments, foundations, and the money these entities bring can do some important things; but in my view, none of us can truly tap the potential that is out there until we become involved with the people of our communities in promoting the well-being of everyone's children.”
“Far from treating grant applicants as supplicants who must approach on bended knee, representatives of the Permanent Fund organize site visits in which they go on the road. They'll spend a day in one region or community meeting with non-profit organizations and local leaders. The Permanent Fund then works with the organizations it chooses to support, and with promising leaders in building long-term, collaborative relationships. After all, it's the grant seekers who know kids. They are the ones delivering the services. They are the ones who know the realities of trying to put together a mentoring program, or to move the needle on drug abuse in a struggling community.”
“If the Permanent Fund decides to assist your agency with funding, you get a whole lot more. They help you understand and connect with additional funding opportunities and they work with you to do everything you do even better. ~
- Allyson Villars, Executive Director, Youth Services, Windham County
I am a new Big Sister for a 10 year old girl who has a difficult time engaging socially with her peers. She is learning to trust that I am there for her and that me being "on her side" means helping her see how her behavior affects others. I believe that I see who she IS and maybe, in time, she can see how really great she is too. I believe that is my core job as her mentor.”
“The funding that the Shining Light Mentoring Program has received has already helped introduce several young people in this community to that one, positive adult role model previously missing from their lives.”
“We are always happy to receive calls from interested mentors, but this one was unusual. The caller was a woman who is blind and in a wheelchair. We knew just the right young person to match her with - a young boy who has spina bifida and is in a wheelchair. We collaborated with The Bus, Paratransport, the school, the principal, the home school coordinator and the family of the boy in order to develop the match and secure transportation for this new mentor to get to the school. The school obtained Braille books for the match to read together. She meets with him weekly and their relationship is blossoming beautifully.”