On March 2nd, 2010 mentor Pecolia Gortman, accompanied by ten of her fellow Verizon mentors, was honored at the HELP USA Tribute Dinner for her outstanding commitment to mentoring. This year Gortman is celebrating over a decade of service as a youth mentor through Mentoring USA. As a mentor at PS 154 Elementary School in Harlem, Gortman has served as a caring adult role model to students providing them with priceless guidance and educational enrichment. She has not only whole heartedly dedicated herself to mentoring, but has also taken on the responsibilities of recruiting other employees within Verizon to mentor at the school and planning many of the activities that take place at the site.
The group meets every Wednesday from 3-4:30 throughout the school year, though for Gortman giving up an evening or weekend day to share a fun experience with her mentee is not a rarity. In the words of Pete Cataldo, Assistant Director of Mentoring USA, “Pecolia is a great mentor because she truly cares about the students at PS 154, and Mentoring USA would be honored to have her as a mentor for years to come.”
As well, HELP USA honored mentee April Washington. Washington was recognized for her outstanding academic achievements and her commitment to the PS 154 mentoring program. This is Ms. Washington’s second year in the program. Her mentor, Donna Dunston, was proudly there to support April.
