Travis County Commissioners Court
January 26, 2010,
Item 3
Item number 3, approve proclamation recognizing month of January 2010 as mentoring month in Travis County.
we did just pass those two items that we had the public hearings on.
we approved both of them.
right.
>> consent.
>> 10 and 11.
okay.
we just approved 10 and 11.
>> thank you very much.
>> mr.
nellis should I read the proclamation?
>> please.
>> where are the 50 kids we're expecting?
is.
>> they are preparing for tax test.
we will bring them to the court in late may may when they finish.
you will get to see the 50 or more kids.
>> I should read the proclamation.
>> please.
>> it reads whereas January 2010 is national merging month, whereas empirkel data shows that students with mentors are 75 percent less likely to drop out of school, 46 percent less likely to start using drugs, 27 percent less likely to start using alcohol, whereas schools where men torring programs report 76 percent increase in student attendance rates, 84 percent increase in students passing classes, 60 percent decline in suspensions from school, and 58 percent of students aachieving higher grades, whereas many opportunities are available to volunteer as mentor including Austin partners in education, the seed link foundation, communities in schools, big brothers, big sisters, and many many other organizations.
whereas online registration and training schedules are available on the website of the individual organizations, and whereas many students have greatly benefitted from their mentors' dependability, wisdom, dedication, compassion and hard work, now, therefore, be it resolved that we members of the Travis County Commissioners court do here by proclaim the month of January 2010 as mentoring month in Travis County Texas and encourage Travis County employees to participate as mentors to Austin Travis County area students.
be it further resolved that we the members of the Travis County Commissioners court encourage Travis County department and supervisors to allow work schedule flexibility to enable employees to participate in mentoring programs.
mr.
nellis didn't say but he meant make sure the employees get their 40 hours in, but let's be flexible on how they do that.
that is why I move approval.
>> second.
>> good morning.
we're pleased to have with us this morning kristin alvarado, the mentor coordinator for the Austin partners in education.
kristin, would you like to say a few words?
>> I would like to thank the court for once again recognizing national mentoring month.
after running this program for three years, I have seen the amazing impact it has on the kids.
really appreciate your support and all the mentors over the last 20 plus years it's been a parts of the district.
>> I would also like to thank the court and all the department heads, all ee length --elected officials.
we have many hundreds of volunteers that support many important programs including those, the mentoring of these children in the Austin independent school district.
as you are aware, dr.
carstop has a tremendous challenge right now with nine aisd schools on the verge of receiving unacceptable performance.
one of the problems that we're facing is the fact of attendance and students dropping out of school.
as we know, the result of dropouts are directly linked with the juvenile justice system which is our responsibility.
i would encourage everyone to reevaluate your schedules, contact one of these organizations dealing with mentoring, tutoring, coaching.
get involved in the school system.
as we approach next year's united way contributions, the seed link foundation, big brothers, big sisters, communities and schools, all are designated charitis you designate your resources.
i congratulate the court for the proclamation in mentoring.
i encourage everyone to see if they can volunteer in this coming year.
thank you.
>> how long have you been doing that?
>> this will be my ninth year.
i did attempt to contact little frederick, some of you recall frederick was in kindergarten when I first started men torring.
he is doing excellent.
he is now in the george town independent school district.
i see him about once a year.
i will try in may after he gets through his tax test to bring him in because he is one fine little man now.
>> great.
>> thank you.
>> thank you, leroy.
>> we appreciate your continuing commitment to mentoring.
>> thank you.
>> all in favor.
that passes by unanimous vote.
you deserve much much more than this paper proclamation, mr.
nellis, but we want to keep it legal.
>> and ms.
alvarado will be with us on item a 4, taking up hopefully at about 10:30.
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Last Modified:
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 2:15 PM
