LAUREL —
Johnnice Ulmer and Safe Schools/Healthy Students Mentoring Program now have a place to call home.
Suite D 17 of Sawmill Square Mall has been renovated to house the program designed to provide adult mentors for selected students in the Laurel School District. The mentoring program is a part of the Safe Schools/Health Students partnership between the Laurel and Lawrence County school districts.
“We are excited about having a place of our own to hold weekly meetings and other activities,” said Ulmer. “Now we can transport the students here for our different actives that include activities to enhance their character, lessons on how to play chess, choir and other activities.”
Mentoring is a key component in the Safe Schools/Healthy Students project which partners with law enforcement and juvenile justice entities and public mental health agencies to create safer and healthier learning environments for students in pre-school through 12th grade. The project is made possible through a $1 million grant from the federal Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative.
Ulmer said the program currently has about 86 trained mentors. More than 50 of these mentors have been matched with students.
Ulmer’s ultimate goal is to have 150 mentors in the Laurel School District. She encourages people to volunteer to help the city’s children. Another mentoring session is scheduled at 11 a.m. Sept. 18 in the program’s new headquarters. Also, and open house for the facility is scheduled at 10 a.m. on Sept. 10.
“We are really excited,” said Ulmer. “A lot of work went into renovating this facility. We hope the community comes out to see what we have to offer.”
Ulmer said that the facility, located next to Cato, is a perfect location for the mentoring program. There is a lot of traffic in the mall each day and it will bring visibility to the program.
Project Director Lindsey Blackledge said he expects an average of about 120 students to visit the facility each week.
“There will be a lot of little humans gravitating toward this area and we have a wonderful program to offer them,” he said. “I have to keep blinders on Mrs. Ulmer to keep her settled down and focused on our main mission which is to educate and empower these students to make positive life choices so each one can reach their highest and fullest potential.”
Ulmer said she is always looking for programs and opportunities that will enrich the lives of the students. Often she finds herself coming up with new ideas, new actives for the children.
“I will continue to fight for the kids in this community,” she said. “I hope others will join me.
“Everyone can play a part in enhancing the lives of our children. Everyone can play a role.”
For additional information, phone Johnnice Ulmer at 601- 455-5038.
Local News
Related Photos
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Johnnice Ulmer sits behind her desk in the new Sawmill Square Mall headquarters of the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Mentoring Program. Photo/Charlotte A. Graham
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