Together We're Building a Better Tomorrow
Bridging the Gap Mentoring Program
Bridging The Gap Mentoring Program is a community-wide mentoring program that enables caring adults to serve as mentors to young people between the ages of 8-14 of Cleveland/Bradley County area.


MISSION

To encourage youth to make positive choices to enhance their potential of becoming successful adults by partnering with a mentor who will provide guidance, encouragement, and sincere friendship.


PARTNERSHIPS






These groups have linked arms to ensure “No Child Will Be Left Behind” in the Cleveland/Bradley County area.

Mentees:

    More likely:
  • To complete high school
  • To raise their life aspirations and go on to higher education.
  • To focus on schoolwork and be academically successful.
  • To have successful peer and family relationship.

     Less likely:
  • To be involve with at risk behavior


Please see FORMS to be a Mentor/Mentee
Meet the Director
Daniel P. Burrell
Student:

School:

Mentor's Name:


Mentor's Occupation:
Tell us how your mentor impacted your life.
Thank Your Mentor Day Award Ceremony
January is National Mentoring Month and Thursday, January 21, 2010 is the seventh "Annual Thank Your Mentor Day!"

As a young person, is there someone in your life- a teacher, neighbor, relative, coach, youth pastor -who encourages you, gives you confidence and guides you in making the right choice in life? Well, that is a mentor to you, and Bradley Initiative for Church & Community, Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland, and YMCA encourage you to thank your mentor by nominating your mentor as Cleveland/Bradley County Outstanding Mentor.

Please write a brief summary about how your mentor made a difference in your life. The top selections will be rewarded and recognized on Saturday January 23, 2010 at 4p.m at the Tucker Unit  Boys and Girls Club in Cleveland, TN.

The public is invited. 


Did You Know?
Youth with mentors are:

  • 52% less likely to skip school
  • 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
  • 33% less likely to engage in violence

An Impact Study of Big Brothers/Big Sisters by JosephP. Tierney and Jean Baldwin Grossman with Nancy Resch, Sept 2000.
Nominate your Mentor
As a mentor you will be able to provide:

  • Guidance
  • Encouragement
  • Sincere friendship
  • Support
  • Give a child 1 hour per week of your time
  • To become a mentor, click here to fill out the mentor application.
  • Questions? Call or email Desmond at 423-559-1112


2010 Outstanding Mentors
Bridging The Gap (BTG)  Mentoring Program is a community-wide mentoring program that enables caring adults to serve as mentors to young people between the ages of 8-14 of Cleveland/Bradley County area.
Mentors:
  • Have fun!
  • Achieve personal growth
  • learn more about themselves and become better person
  • Improve their self-esteem and feel that they are making a difference.
  • Gain better understanding of other cultures and develop a greater appreciation for diversity.
  • Feel more productive and have a better attitude at work.
  • Enhance their relationships with their own children.

MENTORING BENFITS