Date: February 24, 2010
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director, Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu

Mentors Sought for Michigan City Youngsters

Westville – Local community members, as well as Purdue University North Central students, faculty and staff now have the opportunity to volunteer to mentor elementary school students through the Michigan City Area Schools Hours for Ours program’s “A Child is Waiting” campaign.

Anyone interested in volunteering may stop by to visit with Lori Radtke, PNC continuing lecturer of Social Work, and the PNC Mentor Recruitment Liaison Representative with Hours for Ours, on Tuesday, March 2 and Thursday, March 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. near the cafeteria located in the PNC Library-Student-Faculty Building on campus.

Hours for Ours is an after-school mentoring program offered through the Michigan City Area Schools that matches youngsters who would benefit from having an adult mentor with a volunteer who is willing to spend a few hours a week as a mentor.

“We have 100 Michigan City elementary school children waiting for a mentor.  The children are just so excited and hopeful to have a mentor someday,” said Radtke.

Male and female mentors of all ages, backgrounds and interests are welcome to participate.
According to Chip Cotman, program coordinator for Hours for Ours, a school-based mentoring program for the Michigan City Area Schools (MCAS), “This is a wonderful opportunity for PNC students and faculty members to connect with community service. Children do not develop in isolation; they grow and develop in interactions with many school, neighborhood, and community systems.”

Further information may be obtained by contacting Radtke at 785-5200, ext. 5727 or lradtke@pnc.edu. Radtke is available to speak to individuals or with groups about this opportunity.

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