We are Thankful!

Mobius has much to be thankful for.  For the funding from the government, foundations, businesses, and individuals,  we are grateful. It makes the work we do possible.

We are very thankful to:

• Senator Patrick Leahy and his fine staff for their hard work on behalf of mentoring.
• our funders of grants from government agencies and private foundations.
•  long-time donors who have supported Mobius through good times and lean times.
•  new donors who are stepping up to help support Mobius moving ahead in a time of funding challenges.
• businesses who support mentoring because they know it makes a difference.
• our fundraising partners, the Burlington Ensemble, who present lovely performances of great music to raise money for Mobius and five other area non-profits.

Mobius is thankful for our partner mentoring programs and their dedicated staffs.  They work with hundreds of young people, providing them with the opportunities that mentoring offers.

We are thankful to:

Mentoring Night at the ECHO.

• our board members who not only support Mobius financially, but also give Mobius their time, their talents, and their wisdom
• our partners in the business community who support us with in-kind contributions, like the marketing geniuses at SP!KE Advertising who are creating a fabulous marketing campaign for Mobius, like Heritage Aviation who donates meeting space,  as well as Cabot Creamery Cooperative.
• Shelburne Farms, the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center,  and the Hilton in downtown Burlington for hosting Mobius events.
• the businesses who give us discounts in order to make events affordable (possible) like Spare Time Bowling Center who hosts our big bowling event during National Mentoring Month, and Leonardo’s Pizza who gives us a significant discount on pizzas for our mentor trainings.
• to our partners in the community who offer free mentoring activities, like  the Shelburne Art Center.
• to the Flynn Center for making specially discounted tickets available for some of their special programs, allowing many mentees to see live performances of music, theater, and dance they otherwise would not have access to.

We are especially thankful to the 42 local restaurants, entertainment venues, and activity centers who partner with Mobius by offering discounts for mentor pairs through the Mobius Mentor Discount Card.

We are thankful

• to the media who cover our events and help spread the word that mentoring is fun, it makes an impact on the life of a child, and in so doing, mentoring makes our community stronger.
• to our legislators and government officials who are so supportive of mentoring.   They get it.

And most of all Mobius is thankful to the mentors.  Some are young, in college.  Some are retired.  Many are in between — they are in the busiest times of their lives.  But they each set aside time, once a week, to be a friend, a tutor, a partner-in-adventure for one child whose life will be better for the time they spend together.

On a personal note –

Andrea and Hawa at American Flatbread (a Mobius Mentor Discount Card Sponsor)

Andrea Torello, Mobius Executive Director:  I am grateful to Gabe, who matched me with Hawa, my wonderful mentee.  Hawa and I have been having fun together for five years as of Dec 7, 2011.

Mike Glod, Mobius Development Director:   I’m thankful for the great program staff here at Mobius that makes sure every donated dollar is used effectively to help kids.

Marissa Wilkens, Mobius Director of Recruitment:  I am thankful for the 130+ responsible, caring adults in Chittenden County who have made the commitment to become mentors this year, and have volunteered their time to spend one hour, once a week with one young person this year.  A mentor makes a difference.

Benji Thurber, Mobius (outgoing) Americorps VISTA member:  I’m thankful for the generosity of the local businesses who support youth mentoring by offering discounts on the Mobius Mentor Discount Card!

Jessica Avison, Mobius Americorps VISTA  member:  I am thankful for all the children who make up the little buddies in our community.

Lee Ann Donner, Mobius Grant Manager:   I am grateful to the mentoring programs and their hardworking coordinators who do the work to connect children and adults in matches that are long-lasting and life-changing.  The magic is in the match. And I am thankful to live in the caring state of Vermont, where mentoring is valued and supported by the community.