About the Mentoring Project

The Mentoring Project of the Upper Valley is a community-based mentoring program matching young people with adult volunteers in and around Bradford, Newbury, Waits River, Corinth, Topsham, Fairlee, Vershire and Piermont. The Mentoring Project of the Upper Valley began in 2005 to address a need identified by an Oxbow High School committee of parents, students, educators, and business leaders.

Goals of the Mentoring Project

  • Help partnerships to develop close friendships based on trust, respect, and communication
  • Increase mentee self-esteem
  • Increase mentee awareness and accountability for their actions
  • Promote fun and healthy life choices through safe, creative activities

How Does It Work?

  • To ensure safety, all adult applicants undergo a thorough background check
  • Once accepted, the mentor receives pre-match training
  • Each volunteer is matched with a young person based on mutual interests, similar personalities, and location

The Need

A 2005 survey in all Vermont high schools found the following:

  • 15% of 9th graders will not graduate from high school
  • 33% of 12th graders binge drank in the past month
  • 22% of 8th-12 graders have been offered, sold, or given illegal drugs on school grounds
  • 25% of high school students were in a fight
The Mentoring Project of the Upper Valley began in 2005 to address a need identified by an Oxbow High School committee of parents, students, educators, and business leaders.

National research shows¹ that young people who have mentors are more likely to stay in school, achieve better grades, pursue higher education, and become more trusting, confident, and communicative. They are also
  • Less likely engage in violence
  • 46% less likely to being using illegal drugs
  • 27% less likely to begin drinking alcohol
  • 52% less likely to skip school
  • 32% less likely to hit someone
¹Tierney, J.P., Grossman, J.B., and Resch, N.L., (1995) Making a Difference: An Impact Study of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Philadelphia: Public/Private Ventures.

The Mentoring Project Advisory Board

  • Drew Perry – President
  • Jessie Reynolds, MD – Vice President
  • Peter Richards – Treasurer
  • Phyllis Shea – Secretary
  • Debra Edmands – Director
  • Dave Cook – Director
  • Nancy Jones – Mentor Coordinator

Member of the Combined Federal Campaign

The mission of the CFC is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.

CFC is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, with more than 300 CFC campaigns throughout the country and internationally to help to raise millions of dollars each year. Pledges made by Federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign season (September 1st to December 15th) support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world. The Director of OPM has designated to the Office of CFC Operations responsibility for day-to-day management of the CFC. CFC Code 33334