I've been matched with my
Best Friend for 11 years, and I want to be a Best Friend when I get out of high school. I
wouldn't change the experience for the world.
~ Stephanie J. |
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Our Mission
To help Young People thrive through the power of mentoring
friendships and supportive family networks. Best Friends of N-M began in 1973 matching
only girls. In 1984 we began to match boys as well as girls. We service the children
who live in the Neenah and Menasha area.
Best Friends
mentors are at least 17 years old for our Community-Based Program and at least a Freshman
in high school for the After-School & Lunch Mentoring Programs. They come from all over
the Fox Valley Region from Kaukauna, Appleton, Oshkosh, Little Chute, Neenah-Menasha, and
even from Fremont. Some are single, others are married with children of their own, and
some are retired. We ask that a Best Friend mentor make at least a one-year/school year
commitment because it takes time to develop a trusting relationship with a child. It is
also important to see the child on a regular basis preferably once a week. For more information on different mentoring
opportunities see our services. A Best Friend staff person will maintain
personal contact with each match.
W ho are our children?
Young Friends (boys and girls, ages 5 - 17) who need a Best Friend
are referred by teachers, counselors or social workers. The children in our program do not
necessarily come from low-income or single parent families although many do. They are
often children who are experiencing stressful home situations.
Three ways to be a mentor
Community-Based
Mentoring program is
where you see your Young Friend once a week for 2-3 hours.
Lunch
Mentoring
program works with grades K-12 where the mentor meets with
their student once each week during their lunch hour.
After-School Mentoring
program
works with
elementary students one hour after school from 3:30pm-4:30pm. Mondays -
Neenah High School & Wednesdays - Menasha High School.
O ther services
Waiting List program includes
activities for the children on the waiting list since sometimes the wait can be very long
(boys wait an average of 2-3 years).
Family
Program is for the families of the children in our
program who are either matched or on the
waiting list. These activities are for social as well as educational purposes.
Board of Directors
Gregg Bott, President
Associated Financial Group
Greg
Karch, Vice-President
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Steven
Bruss, Treasurer
Kerber Rose & Associates
Robyn
Gruner, Secretary
AT&T
William
Bickel
Northwestern Mutual Financial
Network
Terleen
Cheslock
Simmons Kids
Lori Hoersch
U.S. Oil Co., Inc.
Donna Moder
Retirement Plan Partners. LLC
Don
Phillips
ACN, Inc.
David Purcell
Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc.
Jennifer
Ray
Landmark Staffing
Sue Robinson
Founding Member
Jeff Williams
Kimberly-Clark
Corporation
Mary Zitto
Community Member
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