Cutting a Rug for Kids: RI Stars Dancing for Mentoring
Thursday, April 18, 2013
The Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership (RIMP) will be hosting its 7th annual "Dancing with the Stars of Mentoring" next Thursday, April 25th, at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet.
The always-popular evening of ballroom competition featuring "stars" of the Rhode Island community aims to raise awareness -- and support -- for mentoring in the state.
This year's slate of dancers features Jill Fain, Joan Milas, Sean Feeney, Bruce Perreault, Rich Hittinger, Maggie Hayes-Cote, Sharon Santilli, and Laurie Connors, who have all been paired with professionals volunteering their time from The Dancin' Feelin in Warwick, all in the name of supporting Rhode Island youth.
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"RIMP serves over 5500 kids in our network throughout the state," said Jo-Ann Schofield, RIMP President and CEO. "We believe -- and studies show -- that mentoring is a proactive solution to help kids make better choices, and promote healthy communities."
Research shows that kids with mentors are 47% less likely to being using drugs, 27% less likely to begin using alcohol, 53% less likely to skip school, and 33% less likely to engage in violence.
RIMP dates back to 1990, when a partnership was formed among Warwick Public Schools, MetLife and the Chamber Education Foundation (now d/b/a the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership) to develop a mentoring program to help youth succeed.
What started with 10 volunteer mentors from MetLife and 10 elementary school students (mentees) has grown to include hundreds of mentoring pairs at all 26 Warwick Schools. Through the generosity of The Feinstein Foundation, RIMP was able to bring this successful model statewide, resulting in the development of the RI Mentoring Partnership. Since 1999, RIMP has served as the statewide expert in mentoring.
GoLocalProv sat down with one of this year's "stars", Sean Feeney, to get his story on how he plans to win this year's competition -- and why supporting youth in the state through mentoring is so important to him.
Star Spotlight -- Sean Feeney
Attorney Sean Feeney with Hamel, Waxler, Allen, and Collins has his work cut for him to take the top prize in this year's at DWTSOM. His wife Eva Mancuso took top honors dancing at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet for RIMP back in 2010.
In addition to rehearsing with his professional dance partner, Rachael Capodanno, Sean attests that he's been practicing at home -- with a broom.
"Some of the children in mentoring programs have the potential to do great things. A few may even go on to be medical doctors. With injuries inflicted on Rachael from me stepping on her toes, these mentees may someday prove to provide Rachael with the care needed to treat her traumatic dance injuries."
On a more serious note, Sean says that knowing the value of mentoring was the main reason he decided to give dancing a whirl this year. "Suffice it to say that mentoring has proven time and again to be invaluable in assisting at-risk children in a positive way. I'm happy to do my part to support that -- now we just need people to turn out to see all our hard work next Thursday."
Rhode Island Needs More Mentors
"Dancing with the Stars of Mentoring is a fun way to shine the light on mentoring, and the amazing impact it has on the youth who are able to participate in programs," said Schofield. "Proceeds from this event go towards supporting quality mentoring programs, however we also use it to highlight the need for more mentors in the state."
Schofield continues,"There are waiting lists of kids eager to have someone in their life to be there to listen to them, support them, and just have fun. An hour a week is all it takes to have a lasting impact -- talk with anyone who mentors, and they'll usually tell you they feel they get more out of it themselves. It's a win-win for everyone. Mentoring is a great way to support Rhode Island's future."
Tickets for Dancing with the Stars of Mentoring on April 25th are $75, which includes dinner and entertainment, and can be purchased here.
The event is made possible in part by the support of MetLife, Amica, Coastway Community Bank, Koch Eye Associates, Textron, Moses Afonso Ryan, Greenwood Credit Union, NBC 10, Lite Rock 105, Cardi's Furniture, The Dancin' Feelin, Bob and Fran Weygand, and Deb Gormley.
Kate Nagle is a Board Member of the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership.
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