History of the Jasper County Mentor Program

The mentor program in Jasper County started around the year 2000 from the vision of local citizens, Mr. Larry & Mrs. Nancy Lynch, who had a desire to nurture children in Jasper County public schools.  As volunteer mentors they recruited other volunteer mentors.  Nancy Lynch worked as the volunteer coordinator for the program for several years.

In 2004, Ms. Lynch stepped down from her role as coordinator and Princess Clarke, social worker for the Jasper County School System, stepped up to serve in that function.  In addition to performing in her demanding position with our public schools, Ms. Clarke recruited volunteers, assumed responsibility for matching students with a suitable mentor, and coordinated field trips for mentors and mentees.  Mr. and Mrs. Lynch continue to mentor children in our public schools and serve to ensure program sustainability by their valuable support of the mentor program.

To further expand the scope of the mentor program, the school superintendent and mentors Larry & Nancy Lynch initiated a plan to search for and hire a paid director to head up the program.  On July 15, 2005, Debra Hopkins was hired as director to recruit and train mentors, provide background checks to the superintendent, coordinate matches with school guidance counselors, provide mentor program events and activities, secure grants and funds, and create a structure for optimal functioning of the mentor program.  This program functioned under the auspices of Jasper County Family Connection, a member of a statewide partnership committed to improving results for children and families at the local level.

On February 26, 2008 the Mentor Advisory Board elected to incorporate the mentor program and secure a 501(c)(3) non-profit designation.  A Board of Directors was elected on June 30, 2008.