Forsyth County's Mentor Me Kids Go Bowling

Forsyth County Mentor Me kids and mentors recently enjoyed a bowling party compliments of Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center. 

In a press release, owner Jack Canouse hosted the bowling party and said that he and his business partner just want to be good neighbors.

"So we offer our facilities to Mentor Me and other local organizations that serve our community. We provide[d] complimentary bowling and pizza to the kids and their mentors," he said.

Five months ago Canouse who is a mentor himself, was matched with his mentee, Juan.

"My wife and I participated in a mission trip to Peru where we worked at a battered women and children's shelter," he said. "Working with the children was such a meaningful experience that I decided to volunteer as a mentor when we returned. I just felt that I wasn't giving back enough. You can't go to places like Peru often, so mentoring a child here is something that I can do."

"I feel like I am helping a child, but mentoring also has had an effect on me," he continued. "It has made me put life more in perspective. Little things don't seem as important, and I focus more on the things that are significant. But mostly, I can make a difference in a child's life. I encourage the adults in our area to consider mentoring a child. There is no better way to have a positive impact on our community, and even more important, make a difference in the life of a child. It can have a transforming impact for a lifetime." 

Sylvia Cardona, Executive Director of Mentor Me North Georgia said, “Everyone had fun, and it was good to see our mentors and mentees getting to know each other better. Thanks so much to Jack and Stars and Strikes for hosting us, and an extra thanks to him for becoming a mentor. We appreciate everyone in our community who supports children and youth."

Mentor Me matches volunteer adults with children ages 6 - 17, who need and want mentors. Men are matched with boys, and women are matched with girls. Children involved in the Forsyth County program have demonstrated increased self-confidence and self-esteem, and they show measured improvement in academic performance and behavior.

Mentor Me is a Forsyth County United Way agency. However, the organization depends on private donations for 50 percent of its funding. To volunteer or make a donation, contact Sylvia Cardona at 678-341-8028 or sylvia@mentormenorthga.org. Go to their website www.mentormenorthga.org.

Sylvia Cardona contributed to this press release.