2011 National Mentoring Summit

16:04PM on January 26 2011

Mentoring USA Mentor, Richard Pittelli, Honored With Corporate Mentor Award

Richard Pittelli, a Mentoring USA Corporate Mentor from Bloomingdales, received the Corporate Mentor Award during the opening session of the 2011 White House National Mentoring Summit.  When discussing the benefits of Bloomingdales partnership with Mentoring USA, Mr. Pittelli stated, "This experience has proven to be a valuable opportunity for the Bloomingdales team to connect on another level as well as connecting to our larger community in a meaningful way." 

The summit, held at the Library of Congress in Washington DC, highlighted mentors and mentees from across the nation in order to showcase the positive effects of mentoring.  Congratulations to Mr. Pittelli for receiving this great honor!

Mentoring USA Mentee, Deneen Borner, Introduces First Lady Michelle Obama

Mentee Deneen Borner, a freshman high school student involved in Mentoring USA's Chicago program, confidently represented the organization by introducing the First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama, to those present at the summit.  During her introductory remarks, Deneen acknowledged the important role mentoring has and will play in her development, stating, "Even as a freshman, I completely understand that I need mentoring programs in my life to help me stay on the right track."

Mrs. Obama, in a call to service aimed directly at corporations and their charitable foundations, stressed the importance of mentoring as a crucial aspect of our nation’s effort to properly educate all children.  Speaking candidly, the First Lady remarked, “A child doesn’t need you to be Superman…just someone who will be there,” emphasizing the value that the mentor-mentee relationship holds for at-risk youth.

Special thanks to Richard Pittelli and Deneen Borner for proudly representing Mentoring USA at this prestigious event!