Submitted by Ray Galloway
(June 19, 2026) — On May 29, 2026, there was an event that celebrated multiple friendships between young persons and adult volunteers from the community. The adults and young people described their relationships with words and phrases such as “kind and caring,” “respectful of one another,” “reliable,” “trustworthy,” “always listens to me,” and, “we can laugh, be sad and be happy.” Comments such as these were repeated frequently during the celebration by members of the Haddam-Killingworth Mentoring Program (HKMP) and two former Mentees, who were the invited guests to the event. Sarah and Shannon Hunt, former Mentees and now adults, shared their experiences with HKMP Mentors and enthusiastically conveyed to them the value and lifetime impact of their friendships with their Mentors. All of the HKMP Mentors who were present expressed their thanks to Sarah and Shannon for sharing their experiences and stressing the importance of friendship with their respective Mentors, which helped prepare them to face present and future challenges.
The celebration was a culmination of a school year of weekly get-togethers of Mentees and their Mentors at their respective schools. Meetings are comprised of activities, conversations and FUN. Prospective Mentors agree to having a thorough background check and participating in a two-hour training program. Mentors meet with their Mentees for an hour each week in the school setting and for a school year. If, after reading this rendition of the May 29, 2026 festivities, you start to have thoughts about becoming a friend and mentor to a student for the upcoming school year, please contact Ms. Patty Coletti, HKMP Coordinator at 860-345-7498 or by email at mentorprogram@hkyfs.org. Informational meetings will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
Photo provided by HK Mentoring Program. Front: Lori Chadwick, Dorie Donvito, Christen Reidy, Lori Ryff-Goselin, Stacey Grimaldi, Karen Castelli, Sue Siebelts, Patty Coletti Back: Janet Hay, Mike Lafleur, Ted Coletti, Alli Behnke, Steven Lamari, Kathy Santillo, Ray Galloway, BJ Nonan, Jill MacDiarmid Missing: Mike Armstrong, Pat Fitzgibbons, Lou Fazzino, Laurie Gardner, Lori Szczygiel, Donna Digregorio, Michele Amendola, Allison Insall, Jennifer Sargent
