Travis County Commissioners Court
January 24, 2006
Item 3
3 is to approve proclamation recognizing the month of January, 2006 as mentoring month in Travis County.
>> thank you, judge, one person extraordinarily familiar coming to the microphones, that is leroy nellis.
>> whose name has become synonymous with mentoring.
>> he was the mentor of the year last year for the Austin independent school district, has been featured on the Texas county and state retirement system program, he's just everywhere. And I know that he will make the proper introduction of his guests and why don't we get that right now. I’m very pleased to introduce kathryn brewer sitting here with me.
>> great. Normally we have the kids here, which of course we love and adore, especially our kiddos from allen elementary school, but they need to stay on task in terms of their studies and they are not going to be able to come and join us today. That's where they need to be is there, not here. It is proclamation reads as follows, whereas January 2006 is national mentoring month, whereas students with mentors are 75% less likely to drop out of school, 46% less likely to start using drugs, 27% less likely to start using alcohol, and 33% less likely to hit someone and whereas schools with mentoring programs report that 76% -- 76% increase in student attendance rates, 84% increase in students passing classes, 58% of students achieving higher grades, and a 60% decline in suspensions from school. All good statistics. And whereas online registration and training schedules are now available online at www.austinpartners.org, www.austinpartners.org, now therefore be it resolved that the Travis County Commissioners court proclaimed the month of January as mentoring month in Travis County, Texas and we encourage Travis County employees to participate as mentors to Austin and Travis County area students. Be it also resolved that we the members of the Travis County Commissioners court encourage Travis County department heads and supervisors to allow work schedule flexibility to enable employees to participate in this worthy opportunity. I would move approval.
>> second.
>> good morning.
>> good morning.
>> thank you. I want to say that it is extremely important and extremely appreciated, the support that the Travis County Commissioners court has give -- has given to the -- to Austin partners in education, mentoring program over the last many years. And I would like to express my appreciation for all of the Travis County employees that are currently participating as mentors, as tutors, as after-school coordinators for some of the after-school programs. It is making a tremendous difference in the lives of our young children. There are many, many children that currently need mentors, we would encourage all of the Travis County employees and all of the general public to contact Austin partners in education at the website, www.austinpartners.org. Or at 637-0900, it only takes one hour per week. Whether you work 40 or 60 or 80 hours a week, I would encourage you to look at your schedule and see if you could work in one, one hour and with that, I do thank you for the proclamation. I will turn it over to you.
>> hello, thank you so much.
>> good morning.
>> good morning. Thank you for taking the time, I can see that you have got a busy agenda. And we -- the county officials and the county employees have been such strong supporters of mentoring, between the county, the state and the city, I think that we have the highest percentage of our mentors and the most -- most consistent and -- in returning. We would like to also thank leroy. He has been such a fixture in our program. He has mentoring on the back of his business card I think that you have all seen. Right now we have about 2500 mentors in the system. We need about 25,000. And we would like to encourage county employees, city employees and state employees to take that opportunity to make a difference, one child at a time.
>> for the record, mr. Nellis, is still a full-time county employee. [laughter] judged periodically, in addition he takes care of those mentoring responsibilities, leroy has been doing it now how many years?
>> fifth year.
>> fifth year.
>> how are your young students doing, we are so used to seeing frederick, how is he doing?
>> he's doing fine. He's in the fourth grade. You know, we have followed that little group since kindergarten, so there's actually about three fourth grade classes over there that have students that have actually appeared before the Commissioners court. And I had mentioned the -- to Commissioner Sonleitner that once they get through with taks in may, I’m going to try to bring them over for citizens communication. Let you see. They are getting to be big little students. We do appreciate the support. Keep on keeping on.
>> I would like to thank you, judge Biscoe for being on our board.
>> I would be to a meeting real soon.
>> [laughter]
>> thank you for the invitation. All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>> thank you all.
>> you have to take the proclamation.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, January 25, 2006 9:19 AM