Mentoring

A Journey of Mentoring: Celebrating Sue Sammon’s Impact at Sonoma Valley High School In the bustling halls of Sonoma Valley High School, there is a place where connections flourish and support abounds—a place known as the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance Mentor Center. For 23 years, Sue Sammon has led this remarkable center, leaving an indelible […]

When Greg decided to become a mentor, he wasn’t quite sure what to expect. “I had read that mentorship was one of the most powerful ways to change the world, and I wanted to make a difference in someone’s life.” Little did he know that his life would change in ways he could never have

There are many reasons to be proud of the community of Sonoma, but among those is one that is often underappreciated: the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance.  It’s not because people haven’t heard about it.  With 26 years and 2,200 matches, nearly everyone in our valley knows someone who is either mentor or mentee.  And it

Annette Giroux-Smith frets about all of the children on her waitlist, especially three young boys who have been waiting an awfully long time. She thinks they would do best with a male mentor, but that can be hard to come by at the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance. Maybe women who are very high energy and

My name is Kate and I’m 17 years old and a senior at Sonoma Valley High School! My mentor Linda and I have been friends since I was in 2nd grade at Prestwood Elementary School. My teacher at the time thought that I would benefit from having a person like Linda in my life. My

January is National Mentoring Month and the Power of Mentoring The power of mentoring is more far-reaching than many people realize. Mentors play a vital role in helping our community thrive. For example: Young adults with a mentor are 55% more likely to enroll in college than their peers without a mentor. Mentored youth have

Is it still Ground Hogs Day?  Oh no, that’s right, it’s week 8 of Sheltering-in-place!  I’m Tina Baldry, Program Director reporting to you on how mentoring has changed for me since COVID-19.  I have the privilege of mentoring two amazing girls.  Janeth and I were matched in 2002.  Eighteen years later, we connect by phone,

I began Mentoring in April 2017, and the hour a week I spend with my 5th Grade Mentee at Prestwood Elementary School brings me utmost joy.  There is something about having dedicated and uninterrupted, one-on-one time that is irreplaceable. There are no cell phones, tablets or distractions. The beauty of our time together is that