Mentoring Awards
We also acknowledged some of our most outstanding volunteers and mentors at the General VIP Meeting. We gave out awards for the most Driven Mentor/Volunteer, Mentor of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and our Shining Star!
The most Driven Mentor/Volunteer 2021 award goes to Teresa Dion. Teresa became a volunteer in April of 2016 and since that time, Teresa has mentored four children. Teresa always makes it a point to put her mentee first and has a huge impact on their lives. Teresa goes above and beyond to spend time with the children she serves. She sets the standard for those who follow. Teresa makes it a point to donate to all of our fundraising events. She also seeks out donations from her community to assist in our efforts in serving our children. Teresa has always been a very dedicated mentor and is always the first to volunteer for special projects. Teresa, we want to thank you for all that you have done for the children we serve!
The Mentor of the year for 2021 is Anthony Cisneros! Anthony became a volunteer February of 2020. Anthony is currently mentoring two young men one of which is scheduled to go with Anthony to visit a military base. Anthony is a US Army Veteran and is a positive role model for his mentees. Anthony is also very supportive of our program. This year he made a substantial donation to help several children on our wish list. We are very fortunate to have a leader in our community that has given so much time and dedication to children in need. Thank you Anthony!
The Volunteer of the year for 2021 is Gloria Casillas. Gloria became a volunteer in February of 2016. She became a mentor almost immediately and has mentored several children who successfully completed the one year match. Gloria has provided such great guidance for her mentees, even seeing them through graduations from high school and one owning her own business. Gloria was soon hired as an employee and is volunteering in the detention center as well. Gloria is currently a VIP council member and has had a huge impact on our fund raising aspects of the council. Gloria Casillas stared in one of our first mentoring videos which you can view on our website and she actually started our previous volunteer website. She continues to obtain donations for our mentoring program and fundraising efforts. When she sets her mind to a project, it is always a success. Today, Gloria has a combined total of 696 hours of volunteering and mentoring! You’re awesome Gloria!
The shining Star award for 2021, goes to Lee Longoria. Lee became a volunteer in June of 2019.
Prior to becoming a mentor, Lee conducted several CPS detention visits. The children like him so much that they began to ask their probation officers if he could become their mentor. Lee has volunteered numerous hours and has mentored two mentees who successfully completed their one year match. The young men he mentored have not returned to our department on a subsequent charge, which is a goal of this program. This speaks to how impactful Lee is in his mentoring relationships with the youth. Lee is also an outstanding employee that goes above and beyond in his effort as a volunteer. At this year’s day of giving event at St. PJ’s, Lee took it upon himself to reach out to several coworkers to request donations for our event. He was very successful and assisted us in meeting our goal to provide gifts to over 133 children at St. PJ’s along with pizza for the children and staff. Thank you Lee for always going above and beyond!
