For Immediate Release
December 3, 2001
Contact: Terry Sebastian or Channell Barbour (502) 564-2611: http://gov.state.ky.us/communications.htm 

Patton helps establish mentoring programs in 20 counties

FRANKFORT, KY. - Governor Paul Patton today presented the Kentucky YMCA with a $60,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant that will fund "Athletes Helping Youth STAY" mentoring project in 20 counties of Appalachia.

“This is an amazing program that will build self-esteem, confidence and leadership skills in our youth,” Patton said. “The Kentucky YMCA will help provide this meaningful program to a very important part of our state.” 

The student-to-student program will be known as the “Athletes Helping Youth: STAY.” It will allow student-athletes to be trained before being paired with at-risk students. The program calls for high school students to mentor at-risk middle school students who are recommended by school personnel or the local courts.  

The counties involved with this program include: Adair, Bath, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, Elliott, Green, Lawrence, Lee, Lincoln, McCreary, Magoffin, Menifee, Morgan, Pike, Powell, Rowan, Russell, Wayne and Wolfe.  

Congress established the Appalachian Regional Commission in 1965 to support economic and social development in the Appalachian Region. The Commission is a unique partnership composed of the governors of the 13 Appalachian states and a presidential appointee representing the federal government. 

The $60,000 ARC funds will pay for operating costs and will be combined with the Kentucky YMCA Youth Association’s contribution of $19,050. 

During the check presentation, members of the youth summit donated gifts and money to First Lady Judi Patton’s “Judi's Treasure Chest.” The program, which is co-sponsored by Verizon, is a drive to collect school and art supplies, books and toys for children in grades K-12 who are escaping circumstances of domestic violence. 

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