Murphys, CA…The Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program is delighted to announce Murphys resident Kristin White as the April 2018 Mentor of the Month. Kristin has been matched with her 15-year-old mentee, Charis, for over a year.
“Kristin is an exceptionally devoted and steady volunteer. She is very busy as an optometrist with the newly opened MACT Health Clinic in San Andreas,” said Katie Lackler, coordinator of the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program. “But when it comes to Charis, she always has enough time. From the beginning, Kristin and Charis have had a truly happy and fun connection.”

Volunteering is a regular activity for Kristin, and she includes Charis whenever possible. Together, they have worked with Habitat for Humanity in Calaveras, volunteered at numerous health fairs doing vision screening, and worked at the Resource Connection Food Bank.

“It’s so awesome to see Charis involved when we volunteer together,” said Kristin. “I get a chance to see her use all these great skills I didn’t know she had.” Charis has helped kids pick out glasses at a Vision Screening Day at Mountain Oaks, organized products at the Food Pantry to make it easier to pack bags, and taken on various roles independently at a Christmas Mall in Sacramento while Kristin was doing vision screening.

“What I like best about Kristin is her fun and creative personality,” said Charis. The duo has also spent time doing creative projects from soap-making to creating Valentine’s Day chocolates. When asked what she likes best about the mentoring program, Charis said, “It’s cool that I have an adult to rely on and who will always be there. It’s a very trusting friendship.”

Charis’ grandmother, Adean, is also very happy with the match, and feels that Kristin is a wonderful person. “She has become a part of our family!” said Adean.

Kristin enjoys the connection, too. “I started volunteering with the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program because it’s important to me to be involved in my community, and I’ve always enjoyed working with young people,” said Kristin. “Becoming a mentor has allowed me to connect with the community in a different way. Without the Mentoring Program, I probably never would have met Charis or her family, let alone have such a wonderful friendship!”

The Mentoring Program is actively seeking volunteers in all areas of Calaveras County, and particularly in Valley Springs and Copperopolis. You can support the program by suggesting a possible mentor, helping with fundraising, or getting the word out to the community.

For more information about the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program, call Katie Lackler, Mentoring Program Coordinator, at (209) 736-6078 or visit the website at calaverasmentoring.org.

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