Mayor Teri Johnston and the Key West City Commission have proclaimed January Key to Be the Change Mentoring Month. But for the many mentors in the community, every month is a mentoring month.
First established in 2014, Keys to Be the Change provides programs, education, awareness, and opportunities that empower children, youth, and adults to improve health, wellness, and skills for success in school and life. Mentors play a vital role by providing crucial emotional and social support to our children and youth as they grow and develop into the next generation of future citizens and leaders.
The program collaborates with the City of Key West, the Key West Police Department, JIATFS (Joint Interagency Task Force South which includes personnel from the US Coast Guard, Army, Airforce, and Marines), and numerous community members.
“The organization recognizes that mentoring results in less truancy,” reads the proclamation, “higher rates of graduation, fosters better attitudes regarding law enforcement and encourages bonding with the school as well as the community.”
“Our kids are so lucky,” said Keys to Be the Change Executive Director Heidi Golightly, “that we have these people in our backyard. They have jumped in to help our high-risk youth.”
She noted the youth leaders of the organization, noting that they were a testament to the success of Key to Be the Change.
In the photo from L to R: Mayor Teri Johnston and the City Commission were joined by Keys to Be the Change Executive Director Heidi Golightly and dozens of mentors at the dais.