By MARGARET TIDMORE

Among the reasons I became involved with The Children's Movement of Florida is because I support the focus on the importance of mentoring and parental involvement.

As a public school employee and volunteer of nearly 30 years, I have witnessed the great many challenges faced by children in our state. Currently, I serve as the parent liaison and coordinator of the mentor program at New Horizons Learning Center in Panama City. We are an ESE (exceptional student education center) school that serves at-risk students. Over the years, I have seen many students grow and achieve their goals with the help and support of mentors. Mentors make a huge difference because oftentimes they play the roles of parents, teachers and counselors.

Recently, one of our own students became homeless. She was forced to become transient having to move from one friend's home to another each night. She came to school and tried her best, but she was distracted because of the stress and instability of her personal life. Her mentor began working with her to help build her self-esteem. After much work and dedication, the young woman was graduated from high school. She is now enrolled in college and also works fulltime. She still maintains contact with her mentor at New Horizons Learning Center. Successes such as this inspire me to work for hundreds of others who still desperately need our help. Mentoring is a great way to reach children and help them become successful. I feel very strongly about the importance of helping children to give them a chance at reaching their goals and to obtain a productive and happy life. The Children's Movement has given me the opportunity to voice my experience and my passion to others across Florida. Here are just a few benefits associated with mentoring:

Did you know that just one hour a week can help a child become:

• 52% less likely to skip a day of school.
• 37% less likely to skip a class.
• 46% less likely to start using drugs.
• 27% less likely to start drinking.
• 33% less likely to hit someone.

(Source: Big Brothers Big Sisters)