May 16, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County publishes first-of-its-kind mentoring resource

Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County, with the financial support of the McHenry Noon Kiwanis Club, is publishing the "Mentoring Answer Book," a resource for volunteer mentors.

The 80-page book, authored by McHenry free-lance writer Cyndi Klapperich, has been extremely well-received by national mentoring agency executives, several of whom are quoted on the book's back cover.

"Mentoring is an ancient social intervention with very modern applications," said Gail Manza, executive director of the National Mentoring Partnership. "This terrific new guide gives today's mentor clear cut guidance on a wide range of practical issues that routinely arise in mentoring relationships. Just as importantly, the guide offers a warm and inspiring view of just how important mentors are to this generation of America's young people."

U.S. Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert provided the book's foreword. Chapters include useful tips on everything from getting off to a solid start and fostering positive behavioral or academic changes to examples of fun mentor-mentee activities that are low- or no-cost.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County President and CEO Mary Lawrence envisioned producing the book both as a useful resource for mentors everywhere and a long-term revenue generator for the McHenry County agency. With her agency board's support and a $15,000 pledge from the Kiwanis Club, Lawrence pursued the project.

After months of preparation, the book's first printing has just been completed by CL Graphics of Crystal Lake, Illinois.

The books will sell for $7.95 each, and Lawrence will bring an ample supply of them with her to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America convention in Anaheim, Calif., this June.

"Were it not for the experience of our volunteers, this book could not have materialized," Lawrence said. "Big Brothers Big Sisters of America will celebrate a century of service to our nation's youth in 2004. This book accurately describes the nature of our work and the special relationships it fosters between children and caring adults."

The book is written in a question-and-answer format. Extensive interviews with experienced mentors, knowledgeable agency officials and education experts formed the knowledge base. Interspersed in the pages are reproductions of original notes and artwork children have given to their mentors.