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Ohio Department of Education
$9.4 Million in
New Community Connectors Mentoring Grants Awarded
6/10/2016
One hundred eight community partnerships will share $9.4 million to
mentor approximately 40,000 Ohio students in the latest round of grants
in the Community Connectors school mentorship program. Since July 2015,
216 community partnerships have been awarded $19.2 million for programs
that give more Ohio students access to role models who can motivate and
inspire them and help them develop skills that lead to success in
school and the workplace.
“The best thing we can do as adults is pass our wisdom on to the next
generation — and Community Connectors makes that happen,” said Dr.
Susan Tave Zelman, current executive director for the program and
former state superintendent of public instruction. “I’ve seen the
benefits of this program firsthand, and we’re making a real difference
in the lives of students across the state. They’re learning valuable
knowledge and skills that will help them be successful at both school
and their future careers.”
In his 2014 State of the State address, Gov. John Kasich outlined a new
proposal to bring together families, community organizations, faith- or
values-based organizations, businesses and others in support of our
schools and to mentor students. From that proposal, Community
Connectors was developed and passed by the Ohio General Assembly.
Since July 2015, approximately 14,000 students have been guided by
5,300 mentors, and more than 67,000 one-to-one mentoring hours were
logged. Mentors also have provided approximately 91,000 hours of group
activities with students. In all, 45 of Ohio’s 88 counties are or have
been home to one or more Community Connectors grants.
The state received 123 applications for funding during this round, and
each application included a business, civic and values-based partner
organization. The program provides $3 for every $1 provided by local
partnerships for activities specifically associated with one-to-one
mentoring.
Among the diverse businesses, nonprofits and other groups coming
together to help mentor students in 35 counties are: U.S. Bank, Brown
County Agricultural Society, Dayton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce,
Siemens PLM Software, Stark State University, The Cleveland Foundation,
Greater Cleveland Partnership, Ohio Mutual Insurance Group, Great Lakes
Science Center, The Mentoring Center of Central Ohio, OSU Medical
Center, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Donatos, Macys, ProMedica Health
System, Youngstown State University, Kiwanis, Tri-Star Compact, Big
Brothers Big Sisters, Pickaway-Ross Career and Technical Center, Boys
and Girls Club of Washington County, and The Kroger Company.
For more information, go to communityconnectors.ohio.gov.
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