ORLANDO – In honor of National Mentoring Day, the City of Orlando is hosting the inaugural NW Volunteer & Mentor Recruitment Fair on Thursday, October 26, from 5 – 7p.m. at Ivey Lane Park, 291 Silverton, Orlando, FL 32811.
The fair will feature five community-based agencies including: Boys 2 Men Mentoring, Brooke Jenkins Dream 360 Center, iHope Mentoring, Inc., King Solomon Foundation, and MAN UP Mentoring, Inc. (MAN UP). Individuals interested in learning more about various youth mentoring and volunteering opportunities across NW Orlando will be provided with a chance to speak with the leaders of each agency and a golden opportunity to sign-up and serve.
“In our beloved Orlando, especially among our Black and Brown families, mentors and volunteers have always been our guiding stars. From my own years growing up here, I’ve seen firsthand how they don’t just offer a helping hand but plant seeds of trust, unity, and empowerment deep within our communities. They bridge the divides that sometimes creep into our neighborhoods and shine a light, showing our young ones a brighter path forward,” said District 5 City Commissioner Regina Hill.
Currently, the participating agencies need both volunteers and mentors, especially Black and Brown Male Mentors who are passionate and willing to commit at least two hours each month to mentoring underserved youth. In addition to youth mentors, volunteer opportunities range from chaperones, administration, kitchen staff, etc.
Hill added, “I’ve been blessed to witness organizations like MAN UP Mentoring and countless others stand tall in this mission. They are truly a beacon of hope and light for our youth and families. As we come together in support of the Northwest Mentor & Volunteer Recruitment Fair, I want each of us to pause and really feel the weight of gratitude we owe to every mentor and volunteer out there. They’ve been the silent strength behind so much of Orlando’s progress!”
Each agency will provide onboarding and training to help volunteers and mentors successfully carry out their responsibilities. Please note as a mentor or volunteer working with minors, individuals are required to take a Level 2 Background Check and will be screened for the Sex Offender Registry. As a volunteer, individuals can also receive community service hours and will be recognized throughout the year as well as in April during Volunteer Appreciation Month for their service.
“Volunteers are a lifeline to our organizations, it’s also a way to build inter-generational relationships, learn new skills, all while investing in the next generation,” shared Jean Jamerson, the Volunteer and Safety Coordinator for MAN UP, “Our key volunteers are considered family, and they add a great deal of value to the youth, families and communities we serve.”
For more information on the NW Mentor & Volunteer Recruitment Fair, please email [email protected].
About Boys2Men Mentoring: Boys 2 Men is a 501c3nonprofit and non-sectarian organization that guides boys aged 10 – 18 through their crucial teen years toward healthy manhood. Meeting on a weekly basis, Every week, mentors show up to support teenage boys, providing them with a community of men who listen, encourage, and empower them To learn more go to b2morlando.org
About Brooke Jenkins Dream Center 360 (BJDC 360): The Brooke Jenkins Dream 360 Center is a non-for-profit organization located in Orlando Florida. With a goal to empower and inspire at-risk youth to dream for their future regardless of their current life situations or circumstances. Through self-discovery enrichment programs, we hope to help BJDC 360 youth clearly define their purpose, build strong character traits, leadership skills, and positive self-awareness. For more details, please visit www.idream360.org
About iHope Mentoring, Inc.: iHope Mentoring Inc. (IHM) is a 501c3 male youth mentoring program based in Orlando, Florida. Founded in 2018, iHope Mentoring set out to form an organization that assists many inner-city youth as they matriculate into young men. The group ranges from 7-17 years of age; with operating hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 pm to 8 pm. For more information, visit www.ihopementoring.com
About King Solomon Foundation: On January 18, 2008, the King Solomon Foundation (KSF) was founded in Orlando, FL by Nicholas J. Solomon to mentor and guide at- risk youth. The purpose of KSF is to provide programs that focus on life skills training, health awareness, and academic support. Serving vulnerable youth between the ages of 12 – 26. To learn more please visit,www.iam-royalty.org
About MAN UP Mentoring, Inc: MAN UP Mentoring, Inc. (MAN UP) is community-based 501c (3) organization and an affiliate of My Brother’s Keeper Orlando primarily serving at-risk youth ages 11 through completion of high school or the equivalent across Metro Orlando, with a focus on delinquency prevention and intervention by providing social, educational and mentoring services. Established in 2014 by Orlando natives, brother and sister duo Christopher and Samantha Wallace. Currently, it is managed by an executive director, contractors, and a full-time staff of volunteers. MAN UP is overseen by a Board of Directors with more than 150 years of law enforcement and civilian experience, as well as advisors from the Orange County Public-school System and social services. Visit manupmentoring.com
