Oregon Mentors Annual Recognition & Awards Luncheon
Highlights from the 2008 Mentoring Awards Luncheon
Every year, Oregon Mentors hosts an inspiring mentoring Recognition and Awards Luncheon. This event brings hundreds of business, nonprofit, and youth program leaders together to celebrate how mentoring makes a difference in both youth and mentors’ lives.
2008 Honorary Co-Chairs
Lending their time, talent and passion for youth mentoring, our co-chairs made this year’s event a big draw. Each shared from personal reflections, how mentoring impacts his or her life. During the auction portion of the event, each designed a personal package comprised of activities, geared for youth and mentors to enjoy.
- Senator Kate Brown, Oregon State Senate
- Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazer
- Dr. Preston Pulliams, President, Portland Community College
2008 Mentoring Award Winners
Outstanding Individual – Debbie Vought, Kids in the Middle, Klamath Falls
Debbie (right) accepts her award from State Senator Kate Brown
Debbie Vought has made it her passion to serve the children in Klamath County who live in poverty, foster care, or who are at risk of failing in school. To date, Debbie has matched 300 mentors with youth. Thanks to Debbie’s leadership, the Klamath Falls Community was recently awarded a four year Safe Schools/Healthy Students federal grant of 5.6 million dollars that will significantly bolster Kids in the Middle’s ability to serve more young people.
Exceptional Mentor Program – Committed Partners for Youth, Eugene
CPY Executive Director Susan Walsch accepts award from Portland Community College President, Preston Pulliams
Committed Partners for Youth delivers mentoring programs for at-risk youth in Eugene and Springfield. Using a community based model, the programs serve children ages 11 – 18, with one-on-one mentoring. True Friends, a program that serves children of incarcerated parents, received two national Mentoring Excellence Awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Oregon Mentors Premier Partner – Byrd Financial Group
Oregon Mentors Executive Director Carolyn Becic and Craig Byrd
Craig Byrd and Byrd Financial Group have been generous supporters to Oregon Mentors and other youth serving organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs, Warner Pacific College, Friends of the Children, and Habitat for Humanity. As a member of the board, Craig is generous with his time and strategic thinking.
Exemplary Mentor/Mentee Pair – Pam and Nathaniel, COPY Program, Bend
Trail Blazer #52 Greg Oden presented the award to mentor Pam Houser and Nathaniel
Nate entered the COPY program after dealing with significant losses in his family. All who knew Nate recognized his potential, but were concerned that he was becoming withdrawn. With a lot of encouragement to try something new, Nate met his mentor, Pam. Pam encouraged Nate to enroll in karate and drove him to and from class twice a week, stopping for tacos on the way. One year later, Nate and Pam are trusted and will continue to be part of each other’s lives. Teachers, friends and family all share how wonderful it is to see Nate develop healthy connections to caring adults.
As the Oregon Mentors’ Exemplary Mentor/Mentee Pair of the Year, Nate is being awarded a $1,500 scholarship to be used towards furthering his education.
Youth Speaker Scholarship Contest
This year marks our first youth speaker scholarship contest. We are grateful to each student who took the time to prepare and participate in this opportunity. Every finalist we met did an outstanding job and made the selection process a true challenge.
Winner of a $500 educational scholarship, Pablo Saldana, Step Up Program
Pablo (left) with his mentor Stephenie Smith
Winner of a $1500 educational scholarship, Nicole Adamski, Open Meadow
Nicole Adamski (right) with her mentor Nancy Murphy
Congratulations to all our winners!
