ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Girls Inc. mentees Ambar Rodriguez, left, and Alexandra Kontsas, right, talk with Deb Ansourlian, director of Girls Inc. and former mentor, about the mentoring program.
BY THOR JOURGENSEN
LYNN — Ambar Rodriguez and Alexandra Kontsas use words like “confidence” and “inspired” to describe the mentors who have worked with them since last October and who will be honored today at Girls Incorporated.
The two Lynn sixth-graders said Sasha Sosa and Cheryl Crounse are not only good adult role models, they are also fun. Rodriguez attends Marshall Middle School and spends time with Sosa once a week. Rodriguez said the time the pair spend cooking has helped boost her confidence.
Kontsas, a Pickering Middle School student, said Crounse has inspired her to imagine herself as an adult mentor.
“I would help girls feel comfortable,” Kontsas said.
Crounse works at Salem State University and the pair frequently talk about Crounse’s job.
“She helps a lot of people,” Kontsas said.
Crounse, Sosa and 15 other Girls Inc. mentors will be celebrated this morning at Girls Inc., on High Street, as part of the organization’s Mentors and National Mentoring Month. Quality mentoring relationships are a critical asset for young people, providing them attention, support and new possibilities and perspectives, according to Girls Inc.
Iris Kimber is one of the mentors being honored today. Kimber volunteered as a Girls Inc. mentor after retiring in 2013. She currently mentors four sixth-graders.
“I knew as a young woman growing up in Lynn how important it was to have people care enough for you,” she said.
A 2014 report cited by Girls Inc. found that young people at risk of not graduating high school and had mentors were 55 percent more likely to enroll in college than those who did not. More than 81 percent were more likely to participate regularly in sports or extracurricular activities.
Girls Inc. Director Deb Ansourlian mentored three middle school girls two years ago while juggling her responsibilities running the organization.
“It was my favorite time of the week. I was inspired by the girls,” she said.
Rodriguez said Sosa has made a difference in her life as a mentor.
“I even feel more confident,” she said.
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected].