Dear Mentor Chippewa Partners, 

We hope this letter finds you and your family well. In this time of uncertainty we have seen that people all over the world are capable of extraordinary things. While many aspects of daily life seem to be on hold right now, donations to community organizations, celebrating health care workers, reaching out to neighbors and friends seem to be at an all time high. The world has been coming together to help each other, give back, and ultimately give hope. Generosity in all forms is part of the catalyst for helping each of us get through this global pandemic together. 

Although our office is physically closed, we continue our work to support the mentoring matches we have brought together from our virtual locations. We appreciate your support and understanding as we work quickly to share changes to the program, find creative ways to keep in touch through our social media channels, and participate in our efforts to keep mentoring alive and well during this time apart. We hope to continue to support those matches through the end of the school year and beyond. 

On Tuesday, May 5, 2020 Mentor Chippewa will be participating in #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity. As you know, our organization supports the youth of the Chippewa Falls area by matching them with a mentor. Mentoring provides an opportunity for mentors and mentees to connect over common interests, build a relationship, and support each other in times of need. This solid foundation enables mentors to empower their mentees to become the very best versions of themselves. This time of isolation has shown us more than ever how important mentoring connections are. 

During #GivingTuesdayNow Mentor Chippewa will be accepting donations for financial support that will allow us to continue our mission and program through these uncertain times. Your donation to Mentor Chippewa will ensure we are here and ready to resume mentoring when it is safe to do so. We will be sharing other ideas for giving and showing support through our social media platforms, so please be sure to follow @MentorChippewa on your favorite social channels! 

Not only do we need your financial support, we would also greatly appreciate your help in other ways. You can: 

• Spread the word: Tell your friends and family why you believe in our work and ask them to support us as well
• Post a video message (be sure to tag #MentorChippewa) or email us a testimonial about what mentoring means to you
• Like our @MentorChippewa Facebook (Instagram & Twitter too!) page and leave a positive review 
• Print the attached sign for your window to share the love; grab some chalk and write positive messages on the sidewalk around your home/business  

We can’t do this without you! We encourage you to do whatever you can to help us during this uncertain time. Together we will get through this and come out stronger!   

We invite you to join the #GivingTuesdayNow movement on May 5, 2020. Visit our new website mentorchippewa.org for more information on ways to donate and how you can support us.  Donation checks can be made out to Mentor Chippewa and mailed to Mentor Chippewa, 750 Tropicana Blvd., Chippewa Falls, WI 54729.

Thank you for your support of the Mentor Chippewa program!

Lisa Husom & Erin Gregory

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A Global Day of Giving 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 28, 2020

CHIPPEWA FALLS, WISCONSIN — Mentor Chippewa will be participating in the #GivingTuesdayNow campaign, a global day of giving and unity that will take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. Donations made to Mentor Chippewa during the #GivingTuesdayNow campaign will remain local, and be used to support the day-to-day operations and youth served by the program. 

“These uncertain times have shown how integral the support of a mentor is for the youth we serve. We want to be certain we can remain steadfast in our commitment to empower the youth of the Chippewa Falls community as we look forward to the future,” said Erin Gregory, Mentor Chippewa Program Manager. 

Organizations with a non-profit status typically find themselves in a better position to secure necessary funding for program growth and development from government agencies and private foundations. Non-profit organizations are also able to offer tax deductions to individuals, businesses, and other organizations that give charitable contributions.  

To learn more about the Mentor Chippewa organization, and how you can support this local non-profit, visit their website www.mentorchippewa.org and follow @MentorChippewa on social media. 

Mentor Chippewa is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization that provides the organizational structure for, and support of, a school site based mentoring program.

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Mentor Chippewa Receives Non-Profit Status

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 20, 2020

CHIPPEWA FALLS, WISCONSIN — Mentor Chippewa, formerly known as the Chippewa Area Mentor Program, has officially received non-profit recognition. Perhaps better known as one of the best kept secrets in Chippewa Falls, the Mentor Chippewa program has been a staple in the Chippewa community for the past 32-years. What started as a grassroots effort by a small group of people from a local community church has helped shape and grow the program into what it is today. The new non-profit status marks the starting point of where the program hopes to grow in the future. 

The steps in the non-profit journey have been a work of heart for the Mentor Chippewa program staff and its Board of Directors. “It is with great pride and a full heart that I share the news that Mentor Chippewa has been recognized by the federal government as a 501 c 3 non-profit organization,” said Lisa Husom, Executive Director. 

With an office currently housed within the walls of the Chippewa Falls Middle School, the community-based non-profit works closely with staff from the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District and the McDonell Area Catholic Schools systems to match youth one-on-one with an adult member of the community who meets with them during their regular school day and empowers them to be the very best version of themselves. 

“Our adult mentors really do make a difference in the life of a child by simply showing up for them. It is amazing to see how doing something as simple as playing a game, sharing a meal, or talking about a common interest can light a spark in a child and give them the boost that they need to get them through the rest of their school day,” said Erin Gregory, Mentor Chippewa Program Manager. 

When asked about the vision for the program’s future, Husom shared that it is her goal to replicate and grow the program in other school districts within Chippewa County. “The first step will be to continue to nurture the relationships we have here in the Chippewa Falls community, and use those connections as a stepping stone to build partnerships with other districts, local business, individuals, and organizations who can support us by providing us with students to participate in the program, people who are willing to become Mentors, and tax deductible donations to keep us sustainable as we work together to empower the next generation and in turn better the community as a whole. It’ll be a challenge, but it’s one that I am looking forward to!” 

If you would like to learn more about the Mentor Chippewa program, are interested in becoming a Mentor, current sponsorship opportunities, or would simply like to become a program partner, you are encouraged to visit their new website www.mentorchippewa.org for more information. 

Mentor Chippewa is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization that provides the organizational structure for, and support of, a school site based mentoring program.

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