Wanted: Caring adults to help
young people

	SHOWING SHE CARES: Marge Vandermuss of St. Philip Parish, Green Bay, better known as Grandma Gigi, mentors Rachel Beno at Tank School. Agencies in Green Bay, Appleton and Oshkosh are all seeking adults interested in serving as adult mentors for young people. (Rick Evans photo)

By Linda DeVries
Compass Correspondent

North Eastern Wisconsin Mentoring Coalition (NewMc) has a big goal for January - to recruit 2,500 volunteer mentors for at-risk children throughout Northeast Wisconsin.

"Every child needs a caring adult, and we have such a large waiting list," said Dcn. Rick Simon of St. Pius X Parish, Appleton, and a founding member of the coalition.

After three teenagers died in Appleton's Plamann Park in 1995, Dcn. Simon and other members of the Fox Cities Juvenile Task Force invited representatives of educational, human services and law enforcement organizations to suggest ways the business community could play a constructive role in reducing violent behavior in troubled youths. Mentoring was the group's top recommendation as a response to the breakdown of families and negative influences in society.   Full story ...

• Sidebar: Mentoring began when she was five
• Sidebar: To volunteer

 • Bishop approves Faith Alive proposals
    Parish collaboration to start in July. Not much will change for schools next year.
    Sidebar: Parish clusters for collaboration
    Sidebar: Schools and supporting parishes

 • Cooperstown native becomes Bishop of Venice
    Bp. Frank Dewane steps up

 • Fr. Roy Geenen made everyone feel special
    Waupaca pastor remembered as loving and caring

S p e c i a l   S e c t i o n: Catholic Schools Week Jan. 28 - Feb. 3, 2007

• Catholic schools: 'the best program out there'     Celebrate the witness to truth and goodness Catholic schools offer  More in The Compass print edition:  • For a list of articles found only in the Catholic Schools Week special    section of the Jan. 26 print edition, see this sidebar.

 • Bridging the Gap by Bishop David Zubik -- Bishop's letter on Faith Alive

 • Reflection on the Readings by Auxiliary Bishop Morneau --
    for January 28, 2007: A loving person believes and has hope

 • Explaining the Scripture by Fr. Michael Stubbs --
    for January 28, 2007: God's mercy extends to all who repent

 • Editorial -- Life's truths
    Pediatrician and mother tells readers the truth about human life in the womb

 • Editorial -- Clarifying what's going on
    It's time to take the next step

 • Eye on the Capitol -- Neither the unborn nor immigrants are burdens on society

 • Foundations of Faith -- First apostle's chair symbolizes leadership and service
    Behind St. Peter's main altar is a symbol of the pope's role

 • Saint of the Day -- Doing small things well
    Belgian saint made a name for himself at school, even though he couldn't teach

 • Calendar of events