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Erie council proclaims January National Mentoring Month; highlights North Star Mentoring
Summary
Council adopted a resolution honoring North Star Mentoring (Erie County Independent Living Program) and recognized volunteers who mentor youth 14–23 transitioning from foster care or juvenile probation.
City Council on Jan. 22, 2025, adopted a resolution recognizing National Mentoring Month and honoring North Star Mentoring, the Erie County Independent Living Program.
Brenda Martin, mentoring specialist with Bethesda Lutheran Services and the Erie County Independent Living Program, addressed council about the program’s work pairing trained volunteers with youth ages 14–23 who are referred from the Office of Children and Youth or juvenile probation. "If the youth is interested, I will recruit a volunteer who is willing to be a one-on-one mentor to that youth," Martin said. She described volunteer screening, trauma-informed training, and recurring events for mentor–mentee matches.
Council Member Schauff sponsored the resolution, seconded by Council Members Brzezinski, Flores, Nelson, Titus, Troop and Witherspoon. The resolution thanks and celebrates the mentoring program’s volunteers and encourages residents to consider mentoring.
Martin told council that the program assists youth with life skills and that matches participate in activities such as miniature golf and movie nights; she left flyers and contact information for anyone interested in volunteering. The council publicly thanked Martin and the mentors for their work.
