News
Mayor Calls for Caring Adults to Share Time and Talents With Tulsa Young People
ARCHIVED PRESS RELEASE: Published 1-25-2012
On January 25, 2012, Mayor Dewey Bartlett and Victoria Bartlett,
spokesperson for Mentoring to the Max, joined by city officials,
keynote speaker Dr. John Michael Lee, and Tulsa County Mentoring
Partners kicked off National Mentoring Month at the Mayor's
Mentoring Breakfast, hosted by the Tulsa Metro Chamber.
Mayor Bartlett highlighted the need for more Tulsa mentors during
National Mentoring Month and recognized four outstanding mentors in
the Tulsa community: Justin Wilfon - Big Brothers Big Sisters of
Tulsa; Charlotte Bell - Camp Fire USA Green Country Council;
Frankie Miamen - Man to Man Volunteer Program at ORU; and Mike
Whitson - Youth Services of Tulsa.
Mayor Bartlett said, "Now more than ever we need Tulsans to mentor
our children to enhance their education and help them succeed in
life. The Mayor's Mentoring to the Max initiative is a
great way for caring adults to share their talents and volunteer
their time. I am especially pleased to recognize Justin, Charlotte,
Frankie and Mike for volunteering their time and service as mentors
in our community. Mentoring helps build character, boost
confidence, lift expectations and expand the universe of a child.
Let's all join together and help Tulsa youth achieve their fullest
potential. "
Honorees at the Mayor's Mentoring Breakfast:
Justin Wilfon met his mentee, Chris during a Big Brothers Big
Sisters' "Big for a Day" event where they discovered they shared a
love of history. Chris was shy and struggling in school, however,
after being matched with Justin for more than a year, his grades
have improved and he has become more confident. Justin encouraged
Chris to take a broadcasting class in which Chris is currently the
co-anchor. Not only has Justin shown commitment to being Chris's
big brother, he has also shown commitment to the Big Brothers Big
Sisters program overall.
Charlotte Bell has been a group mentor for three years for Camp
Fire USA Green Country Council. She currently mentors two groups of
boys and girls on a weekly basis at Union Public Schools: Rosa
Parks Elementary and Briarglen Elementary on. Her mentoring group
consists of small groups of 10 - 12 youth. Charlotte works on
relationships with these youth, including building friendships,
trust and life skills. She recognizes their individuality while
reinforcing a sense of belonging.
Frankie Miamen has been an inspiration to the young boys of
McClain Junior/Senior High School as part of a team of Man to Man
volunteers at ORU. His passion for seeing inner city young boys
educated and given a chance to succeed comes from his own
experiences as a young boy. Frankie was born in Liberia and saw
civil war in his country. Luckily Frankie had the opportunity to
come to the United States. He uses his experiences as a motivation
and tool of inspiration to those he mentors. Frankie will graduate
from Oral Roberts University in May with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Business Administration.
Mike Whitson with Youth Services of Tulsa has mentored Jalen, an
8th grader at Carver Middle School, since June 2011.
Mike has provided stellar guidance to his mentee and mentee's
family. He has an awesome and helpful attitude and has obtained TU
football field passes for Jalen and his sister to watch TU football
games. Mike has assisted Jalen's mother in acquiring a job and
connected Youth Services of Tulsa with Chris Kaiser, who is the
area director of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Caring adults who are interested in becoming a mentor can call
2-1-1, a public resource operated by the Community Service Council.
When you call 2-1-1, say you want to volunteer to help a young
person succeed. Be sure to mention the age range of a child you'd
like to mentor, the times you are available, as well as the area of
Tulsa you would like to serve in. Individual and group mentoring
opportunities are available. Also, visit: www.mentoringtulsa.org
