Murphys, CA…The Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program is delighted to honor long-time Angels Camp resident, Yvonne Warner as its October 2016 Mentor of the Month. Yvonne has been matched with her nine-year-old mentee, Evelyn, for over a year and a half.

“Yvonne is the perfect mentor for Evelyn,” said Colleen Nunn, coordinator of mentoring programs for the Calaveras County Office of Education. “Yvonne is an incredibly open-hearted person, and she showers Evelyn with love and attention. She really understands what helps young people grow and thrive.”

Evelyn also thinks of Yvonne as perfect, and she created an acrostic poem to prove it:
Yvonne is perfect.
She has lots of Patience.
Evelyn is always Excited to spend time with Yvonne.
She has so much Respect for Evelyn.
They have lots of Fun together.
She is great Entertainment.
She is very Creative, like Evelyn.
And Yvonne is remarkably Thoughtful.

Yvonne grew up in Murphys and married her high school sweetheart. After parenting her own four children, she was excited to give back to her community. “I had an itch to volunteer,” said Yvonne. “I was driving down Main Street in Angels Camp and saw the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program banner hanging across the highway. I thought, ‘that is the perfect volunteer work for me.’”

Evelyn’s grandmother, Amber Cumming, is very glad that Yvonne decided to volunteer to be a mentor. “Yvonne and the Mentoring Program have been a powerfully positive influence in Evelyn’s life,” said Amber. “It has been such a great thing for Evelyn to have an adult friend who belongs just to her. I believe that Yvonne is Evelyn’s best friend.”

Evelyn and Yvonne keep themselves busy with lots of fun activities. “I always look forward to spending time with Evelyn because it is pure fun,” said Yvonne. “I get to hang out with an incredible young person. We get to see movies, bake together, play at the park, and attend mentoring program field trips.”

“I have gained a lifelong friendship,” said Yvonne. “Evelyn is a loving, imaginative, artistic and outgoing young person who gives the best hugs. I am so impressed with how much she has grown and matured in
the time we have known each other.”

Yvonne believes that she gets just as much out of their friendship as does her young friend. “As Evelyn’s mentor, I am more than just a friend,” said Yvonne. “I get to support her like a friend, love her like a mom, and enjoy living in the moment with her like a grandparent. When we go out together, I get to experience life through the perspective of a nine-year-old.”

In addition to mentoring, Yvonne appreciates the perks of living in Calaveras County. She enjoys listening to live music, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. “I am always meeting people who would be great mentors,” said Yvonne. “Being a mentor is beyond rewarding. I encourage everyone to learn about the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program and consider volunteering.”

“It is an honor to be a volunteer for the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program,” said Yvonne. “This program is truly amazing. Just walking into the Mentoring Program office, you can see and feel the gentle and kind love that pours out of these incredible women who make this magic happen in our community.”

The Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program has 17 kids currently waiting to be matched with mentors, 15 of whom are boys. There are many ways to support the Mentoring Program. For more information, call Colleen Nunn at (209) 736-6078 or visit the program online at www.calaverasmentoring.org.