Johnson City Parks and Recreation Special points of interest: ~Carver Leads Mentoring Program ~ Administration Highlights ~ Athletic Division Highlights ~ Park Services Division Highlights ~ Recreation Services Highlights 
Golf Division Highlights
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection I s s u e :
9
S e p t e m b e r ,
2 0 1 9
Carver Leads Mentoring Program Early this summer, Carver Recreation Center Supervisor Herb Greenlee set in motion a program aimed at connecting at-risk students in grades 5-12 with mentors to help link them to vocational, educational and financial opportunities. Meetings have been conducted with representatives from Johnson City Schools, the Lions Club, Johnson City Juvenile Court, the Johnson City Police Department and community leaders who discussed how to introduce the program to parents, students and mentors. The first dinner meeting was a parent/caregiver meeting on Sept. 3, with the topic being just how students and parents can be assisted. On Oct. 1, a meeting will be held with students to discuss what types of learning opportunities they are seeking through the program. Student interest in hobbies and potential careers will be gauged introduce parents and students will learn more about the job and workforce environment as well as the interviewing process. Mentors, including former teachers, police officers, financial officers, juvenile coordinators and the Tennessee Technology Center, will be contacted after the October meeting to set up a Nov. 12 mentoring fair. Greenlee said the main goal is to connect students with community professionals with practical knowledge in the students’ particular areas of interest. He also wants the program to become a vehicle that helps students and their families access various community resources that help students develop those interests. The program will be conducted in partnership with Johnson City Schools, area churches, local industries, the Johnson City Police Department, the Tennessee Center for Applied Technology in Elizabethton, local businesses, community organizations, retired teachers and others who are coming forward to serve as mentors. Greenlee said it’s up to the parents and kids to determine what route they want to take. But the program, and Carver Recreation Center, will be there to help fill in the missing pieces.