Mentor and Family Liaison Testimonials Heart of Benefit Dinner

Moving testimonials from mentors and mentees as well as success stories from family liaisons provide the centerpiece of the annual Communities In Schools of Renton (CISR) Recognition and Benefit Dinner. Slated for May 2, 6 pm at the Renton Senior Activity Center, the dinner features powerful anecdotes from an adult mentor and student mentee.

Students benefit from the one-hour a week time they spend with their mentor by having a friend to talk with and a positive adult role model. Mentors gain just as much from students who provide friendship, a joyous perspective on life and fun. CISR Family Liaisons also provide much needed services such as food, temporary housing arrangements, clothing and other social services. The liaisons have helped Renton families recover from house fires as well as assisting students with school supplies and transportation. "These two programs link students and families with resources which help children be successful in school and life," said CISR Executive Director Susan Richards.

The benefit dinner is catered by Ivar's and features a delicious salmon dinner complete with dessert. Volunteer students serve as waiters and waitresses for this annual sit-down dinner. Entertainment is provided by talented Renton School District music students and a program full on information on CISR. A new addition to the festivities is a mentor/mentee quilt which will feature the artwork of approximately 100 mentors/mentees. Each pair received a fabric square in which they were asked to decorate with a symbol or phrase which represents their mentoring relationship or experience.

Dinner tickets are $25 and available by calling Gail Burton, CISR program specialist at (425) 204-2408.