Mentor Me-North Georgia Receives $5,000

Mentor Me-North Georgia, a non-profit organization that serves local children through mentoring relationships and other programs to help children reach their potential, receives a sizeable check for $5,000 from BJ's Charitable Foundation.

The money will go to the group's REACH program called "Raising Expectations and Achievement of our Children," a mentoring program for Hispanic children. 

Mentors assist the children in the program with their homework during the school year. During the summer, camps are provided to help them keep up with their reading and language skills.

"The BJ's Charitable Foundation grants funds quarterly to organizations where BJ's clubs are located," said Matt Goggins, general manager of the Cumming in a news release. 

"We choose organizations that provide critical services and programs that focus on hunger prevention, self-sufficiency, healthcare, and education. Mentor Me's REACH program supports education in the local community, and we are pleased to select it as one of our non-profit grant recipients this quarter," Goggins said.

Emily Breisch, a senior at , is an after-school volunteer in the REACH program and works with Aaliyah, a first grader.

"It's important to give back," she said. "And, I enjoy working with children and helping them with their homework and reading skills. And it's a learning experience for me." 

Ethan Smith, a senior at also volunteers with REACH. He works with David, who is in second grade.

"I began volunteering after a friend told me how much he enjoyed it," he said.  "I feel like I'm making a contribution by helping children. It's like having a little brother, and it's gratifying seeing him do well in school." 

Mentor Me also provides traditional one-on-one mentoring relationships between adult volunteers and children and young people. Children between the ages of six and 17 who need and want a mentor are matched with adults who can serve as role models. 

For more information about Mentor Me, or to inquire about becoming a mentor, contact executive director Sylvia Cardona at 678-341-8028.  Or go to the Mentor Me-North Georgia Web site.