 COURTESY OF MARLIS MCALLISTER Past Rotary President Marlene Cowan offers a Significant Achievement Award to PNG co-chairwomen Sandie Whipple and Hinda Weber. Also pictured are committee members Mona Armistead, Linda Waud, Lois Adams, Jim Geers, Duane Stauffer, Roland Payne, Judy Hanneman, Lee Lynch and Marlis McAllister. |
Partners for New Generations (PNG), a Los Altos Rotary-based organization that recruits and places mentors and tutors in the local schools, recently received recognition and support for its efforts.
Partners supporters have been honored by Rotary International, which conferred its Significant Achievement Award on the Los Altos Rotary Club for its work with PNG. Rotary International is a service organization comprising 1.2 million business and professional leaders in 32,000 clubs across more than 200 countries.
Out of 60 clubs in the local district, the Los Altos Rotary Club was the only one chosen to receive the award, given to recognize outstanding club service projects. The club was also awarded local Rotary District and Zone literacy awards in honor of PNG’s work.
On the support side, PNG has obtained grant funding for its programs from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Los Altos Community Foundation, the Davidow Foundation, Rambus and the Peninsula Community Foundation.
In addition, the Silicon Valley Realtors Charitable Foundation last week presented a $3,000 grant to Partners. Charitable Foundation trustee Joanne Fraser presented the grant to Bob Adams of the Los Altos Rotary Club’s Fundraising Committee.
PNG became a community-based volunteer organization in 1995 with the goal of providing tutoring for grades K-12 and mentoring at the high school level.
Supporters established a small mentoring program at the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District’s continuation school, Alta Vista High School. PNG then expanded to Los Altos and Mountain View high schools. The mentoring program has grown from 11 relationships in 2001 to 118 in 2006.
PNG’s objectives include improving attendance and grades, lessening behavioral referrals and building self-esteem. Supporters said that participants are more likely to continue their education after high school and be better prepared for employment.
Adams said the program needs more volunteers. “The experience is fulfilling and rewarding for all involved,” he said.
For more information, call 949-0828, ext. 4, or e-mail partners@losaltosrotary.org.
