8 27 12 Arroyo Supports Call to Action to Close Mentoring Gap for Latino Youth

							                                Boston, Massachusetts
                      Office of Boston City Councilor At-Large
                                   Felix G. Arroyo

For Immediate Release                Contact:       Heather Perez
August 27, 2012                                     617 635.4205
                                                    617 304.9413 (cell)
                                                    Heather.Perez@cityofboston.gov


 Councilor Arroyo supports call to action to close mentoring gap for Latino youth
 -- Councilor Arroyo supports Mass Mentoring Partnership’s campaign to help provide
                         mentors for over 300 Latino youth --

Boston, MA – In order to address the critical shortage of mentors for Latino youth in
Boston, City Councilor At-Large Felix G. Arroyo has announced his support of Mass
Mentoring Partnership’s call to action for 300 Latino men and women in the Boston
community to become mentors. Councilor Arroyo, who has made youth a top priority in
his work as a City Councilor, believes it is critical to fill the void of Latino mentors.

“As youth in our community get ready to go back to school, it’s vital that we not only
provide them with a good education, but with caring, adult mentors who can provide the
social and emotional support they need to succeed in school and in life,” said Councilor
Felix Arroyo.

According to the research report Mass Mentoring Counts, there are over 300 Latino youth
currently waiting to be matched with a mentor in Greater Boston. While 26% of the youth
currently being mentored are Hispanic or Latino, only 5% of mentors are Hispanic or
Latino. The majority of youth, especially boys, often wait 6 months or longer to be
matched with a mentor.

Councilor Arroyo announced the call to action after meeting with Mass Mentoring
Partnership’s new CEO, Marty Martinez. “I am thrilled that a leader like Marty was
chosen to lead Mass Mentoring and bring his expertise in working with youth, families
and communities of color.”

Mass Mentoring, which is fueling the movement for quality mentoring across
Massachusetts, is working to address the need through its Mentors of Color campaign in
Boston in partnership with AFC Mentoring, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts
Bay, Big Sister Association of Greater Boston, Boston Partners in Education, Diamond
Educators and Generations Incorporated. The campaign focuses on influencing men and
women of color from diverse ethnic, cultural and faith backgrounds to think about
mentoring the next generation of youth as a service to their community.

However, the gap remains wide, especially among Latino youth. “If we are to empower
Latino youth to succeed, we need Latino adults who can share their life experiences and
diverse histories. That impact can make all the difference. It is an impact that I personally
know very well,” said Martinez.

As a youth sports coach for over 8 years, Councilor Arroyo has a true appreciation for the
benefits of investing in young people. “The benefit for both the young person and the
mentor is outstanding. Our community is full of people who would make great mentors
and I hope anyone who has considered it will take the step to become one.”

For as little as an hour a week, you can make a difference in the life of a student – and
your own. To learn more about Mass Mentoring’s Mentors of Color campaign, visit
www.massmentors.org.

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