LINCOLN- Governor Pillen has proposed a new grant program to help long-established, youth-focused organizations recruit mentors for thousands of kids. The grant program would be funded by tax dollars with a recurring $5 million dollar fund. “The goal is simple,” Pillen said. “It takes resources to be able to keep recruiting people. We have to do more. … We’re trying to make sure every Nebraskan recognizes they, as a mentor, get a 10-to-1 return by becoming a mentor and get businesses to encourage it.”

Pillen said only one extra hour of reading a week is needed to boost proficiency by 25-30%. “Every kid doesn’t need a mentor, but every kid in Nebraska deserves a mentor,” Pillen said. “Who’s out there from the Greatest Generation that’s retired and (can) go and start reading to first-, second- and third-graders and … help them make sure that they can be proficient?”

The grants would be available to organizations that have offered mentoring services for at least 15 years. Nine organizations participating in Pillen’s news conference Monday would qualify, including 100 Black Men of Omaha and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Melissa Mayo of Mentor Nebraska said that Nebraskans who know the challenges facing young people can help confront social issues and divides that feel “monumental and insurmountable.”

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