Submitted by Ray Galloway
(July 6, 2025) —- On May 30, 2025, there was a gathering of Mentors along with the leadership of Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services for the purpose of recognizing the Mentors for their volunteerism and successful development of relationships with their Mentees during the 2024-2025 school year.
The celebration and luncheon took place at the home of Ms. Patty Coletti, Program Coordinator. She, along with Jen Favalora and Alli Behnke, Co-Directors of HKYFS, and Ray Galloway, Mentoring Program Advisory Council Member, together congratulated Mentors for all they do to support their mentees. In addition, Ms. Heather Persson, Assistant Principal of Haddam-Killingworth Middle School, sent her written congratulations to Mentors expressing her “heartfelt gratitude for the joy and wisdom they provide to our students.” The Program’s success can be attributed to the collective efforts of the Mentors and Mentees along with RSD 17 School Liaisons, including Ms. Wendy Scoppa, Ms. Dayleen Nelson, and Principals Ms. Brienne Whidden and Mr. Dennis Reed in collaboration with Ms. Patty Coletti and Ray Galloway.
Since HKYFS, in collaboration with RSD 17, renewed the Haddam-Killingworth Mentoring Program (HKMP) in 2020, the program has grown from five children developing friendships with five adults to the present twenty-one relationships! The steady growth of the HKMP is largely due to the volunteerism of community members. As you may be aware, a Mentor is a role model, a friend, a listener and a confidant. Children selected for the program are matched with an adult mentor who has received training and has agreed to a formalized background check. Children meet with their Mentors for an hour each week during the school year and in the school setting.
Children who participate in the program can show improved school attendance, self-esteem, school engagement and school performance. In addition, students may be less likely to start using illegal drugs and alcohol. We have students who are hoping that adults in our community will have the time to be their adult friend and to support them as they face the challenges of growing up and, equally important, have fun in the process!
If you have an interest in learning more about the HKMP and possibly applying to become a mentor, please email Patty Coletti, Program Coordinator, at mentorprogram@hkyfs or call 860-345-7498. She is convening informational meetings for prospective mentors during July and August at a time andplace to be determined.
Please join us in congratulating our mentors for all that they do for our children!
Photo provided by HK Mentoring Program
