For More Information, Contact:
Gary Henderson
CISNT Executive Director
P.O. Box 295543
Lewisville, Texas 75029-5543
972.436.6377 Office Phone
972.436.6770 Office Fax
ghenderson@cisnt.org
www.cisnt.org Website

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“CISNT Connections” Mentoring Program Kicks Off
Lewisville , TX – September 27, 2006: The program starts at 9:00am, but the kids begin arriving at the school building by 8:15 each Saturday morning for Communities In Schools of North Texas’ Saturday Connections mentoring program. At 13 schools in Denton ISD, Lewisville ISD, Little Elm ISD, and Northwest ISD, children are excited to come to an empty school building on Saturday to spend time with their mentors. Parents love that their kids are learning life lessons. And volunteer mentors leave feeling great about the important work they’ve just accomplished. Everyone wins, it’s called MENTORING!

Each Saturday morning from 9am to 11am, volunteer mentors spend time with children who look up to them for encouragement, direction and advice. “These are great kids who really buy in to the mentoring concept”, says Gary Henderson, CISNT executive director. “I have the awesome experience of leading one of our CISNT Connections programs and it has really reinforced my deep belief in the benefit of mentoring”.

In the CISNT Connections program, volunteer mentors age 16 to adult work one-on-one and in groups with students who need a role model. They work together on crafts, playing board games, playing basketball or volleyball, working on service learning projects and spending time in discussion groups where mentors and students share laughs and discuss life issues. Occasionally, the Connections program hits the road and mentors and students together go on short trips to places that provide enriching experiences for the students like visiting the local Fire Station, Public Library and other interesting places. Each Connection program is directed by a CISNT staff member, but the life blood of the program is the volunteer mentors.

The Connection program is provided to qualifying students free of charge. Additional volunteer mentors are needed each of at the CISNT Connection Saturday program schools. To become a CISNT Saturday Connections Mentor, visit www.CISNT.org or call (972) 436-6377. Mentoring a child through Communities In Schools of North Texas’ Connection program is a great way to start your weekend by investing in the future of our community!

Communities In Schools of North Texas, is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization that has served students across Denton and Wise Counties since 1994 delivering drop out prevention programs and services that change lives. The mission of Communities In Schools of North Texas is to be the proven leader in coordinating and providing community based solutions that challenge young people to overcome barriers, succeed in school and prepare for life.

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