The Able Trust E-mentoring Program

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2008 e-Mentor of the Year

January is National Mentoring Month

Representative Curtis Richardson (left), The Able Trust President Susanne Homant (left) and Board Treasurer James Dolan (right) joined Susan Redmon (left center) and her mentee, Caitrin (right) to celebrate National Mentoring Month. This program made possible by:

On January 29, 2008 at the Tallahassee City Hall, The Able Trust announced its 2008 e-Mentor of the Year, Susan Redmon, RN, MPH - a registered Nurse Consultant for the Children's Medical Services at the Florida Department of Health.

Awarded in honor of National Mentoring Month, The Able Trust e-Mentor of the Year Award annually recognizes an outstanding professional who displays tremendous dedication to youth with disabilities through an active participation in The Able Trust e-Mentoring program.

The Able Trust e-Mentoring program uses the internet to offer youth with disabilities the opportunity to communicate with professionals through monitored weekly e-mail correspondence. The program matches students with professionals across the state who are working in career fields that interest them.

As an Able Trust e-Mentor since 2005, Susan has shared her knowledge of the healthcare field with her e-Mentee CaitrinÑ a high school student who is interested in pursing a career in the healthcare industry.

"There's a lot to say about my mentor Susan Redmon," Caitrin said. "She's been a great support to me, not only in an educational sense, but also as a friend. I truly feel that she's one of the best people that I could have as a role model and a friend."

With more than 10 million Americans waiting in line to receive a mentor, Susan encourages professionals to become a mentor today to America's youth.

"Having the opportunity to interact with a young person on their terms is truly a valuable experience," Susan stated. "Adults can learn a lot from young people when they open their hearts and minds.

"I have truly enjoyed talking with my mentee," Susan continued. "I can sense that her motivation increases when I speak with her about the healthcare industry."

"She's taught me a lot over past couple of years, and our correspondence has helped me decide where I want to go in life, and who I want to be, Caitrin continued. "I've gained so much from the e-Mentoring program that I plan on taking with me, into my life as an adult. "

In addition to The Able Trust's e-Mentoring program, Susan has participated in other youth programs sponsored by The Able Trust, including: the Florida Youth Leadership Forum, a statewide four-day leadership conference and Disability Mentoring Day, a national one-day job shadowing opportunity. Today, Susan says that she will remain committed to serving others especially persons with disabilities.

"My ultimate goal is to help ensure that people with disabilities have access to a full life," Susan stated.

The Able Trust will host the 2008 National Mentoring Month Celebration, Tuesday January 29th, in Tallahassee, to honor Redmon. The event will take place at the Tallahassee City Hall. The event will also feature a presentation by State Representative Curtis Richardson, who will discuss initiatives affecting the disability community this legislative session.

Susan is a board member of the Florida Developmental Disability Council and a family consumer representative for the Family Care Council in District II. She is also a parent/consumer representative at the University of South Florida's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, The Florida Center for Inclusive Communities.

With a 36 percent national high school drop-out rate for youth with disabilities, The Able Trust sponsors programs that support Florida's youth with disabilities. The Able Trust e-Mentoring program, Florida Disability Mentoring Day, High School/ High Tech, & the Florida Youth Leadership Forum, are all statewide programs supported by The Able Trust. These programs are designed to aid youth and job seekers with disabilities in reaching their full potential. To learn more about The Able Trust youth programs, visit www.abletrust.org.

National Mentoring Month is spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project, MENTOR and the Corporation for National and Community Service. To learn more about National Mentoring Month, visit www.mentoring.org.