A young Restore program graduate was recognized Tuesday at the City Council meeting by Mayor Douglas Hatley Jr., who presented a graduation certificate of completion.
Hatley congratulated Bridget Ramirez, 10, who said she enjoyed spending time with her mentor, Carly, and checking out the animals at Hope Haven Farm in Corning. She said she enjoyed riding horses and seeing goats while at the farm.
Some other activities the two have done include going to the Corning Animal Shelter, walking some of the dogs and even naming a few dogs at the shelter.
The Restore program works with juvenile diversion, where troubled children have a choice to either do an 18-week mentor program or go through the jail system and serve probation, said Ric Schoon, the program coordinator. It also is for youths in need of mentors.
The juveniles in the program are “one healthy adult away from being a success story,” Schoon said during a previous meeting. It makes such an impact to give a child an adult mentor who is there for them whenever they are needed.
Schoon introduced two mentors who spend many hours a week with the children and are studying criminal justice at California State University, Chico.
The two said it has been a great experience working with and being able to help the youth.
The program was recently at risk because funding was drying up. The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians stepped in to provide grant funding to continue the program. The tribe received grant funding to implement the Everett Freeman Promise Neighborhood Initiative in December of 2016 and will apply $200,000 toward the program. The tribe was awarded the grant of more than $14.6 million to be dispersed over the span of five years from the US Department of Education to serve the Corning Elementary and High School districts and youth programs. The grant funds allow the continuation of the Restore program through June 30, 2018.