Vermont Business Magazine ThePeople’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm ofPeople’s United Bank, announced today that it has awarded $3,500 to The Mentor Connector in Rutland, Vermont.
The Mentor Connector, a formal mentoring program, pairs youngsters in the Rutland area with adult mentors of the same community. Mentors and mentees are matched according to their similar interests and the mentor becomes a trusted adult friend with a long-term, consistent commitment to provide guidance and support.
The funding brings the total grant amount awarded by People’s United Community Foundation to the organization to $19,000.
“Peoples United Community Foundation makes the ongoing support to mentors and their mentees possible and we are so grateful for the continued assistance that helps local youth learn skills involved with everyday life, things we refer to as ‘soft skills,” said Christopher Hultquist, Executive Director, The Mentor Connector. “This is one-on-one attention and guidance in the specific areas of need and mentees also get assistance with career exploration and college opportunities."
“We are pleased to continue to assist The Mentor Connector in their efforts to bring in additional mentors for their Dropout Prevention program,” said Michael Seaver, Officer, People’s United Community Foundation and President of People's United Bank in Vermont. “We have been longtime supporters of mentor programs throughout Vermont as it is critical in these times that our future citizens are prepared to succeed.”
Established in 2007, People’s United Community Foundation was formed to help support programs and activities that enhance the quality of life for citizens in the communities that People’s United Bank serves. People’s United Bank, founded in 1842 and serving customers from New York to Maine through a network of more than 400 branches, is the largest independent bank headquartered in New England. The Foundation places special emphasis on programs designed to promote economic self-sufficiency, education and improved conditions for low-income families and neighborhoods. The funding priorities of the Foundation include community development, youth development, and affordable housing.