Mentors and youth ‘Just Roll With It’ at bowling alley

Provided photo – Participants in the “Just Roll With It” event are pictured last Saturday at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

Press Release, Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern

ALBION – Just Friends, a youth mentoring program through Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern, held the “Just Roll With It” event last Saturday.

The event was held at Oak Orchard Bowl and about 60 people attended, including children participants, parents/guardians, mentors, volunteers and staff. Just Friends would like to thank Randy Hanks of Oak Orchard Bowl for being a wonderful host and providing a fun afternoon for all.

Just Friends is a youth mentoring program for children who live in Orleans and Genesee counties. Participants range in age starting at age 5 and are matched with positive adult role models in the community who act as a mentor.

Children are referred to the Just Friends program by social workers, school counselors, family members and friends.

Each child is welcomed into the program and invited to every event in Orleans County. The goal of the program is to match a child (mentee) with a positive adult (mentor) in the community.

The mentor is required to spend four hours a month with the mentee in addition to attending events held by Just Friends. Just Friends also provides “Back to School Days” every August, and backpacks and necessary school supplies are provided for every child in the program.

At the “Just Roll With It” event, all school supplies were replenished to get the children through the remainder of the school year. Just Friends encourages and assists children to be prepared for school as well as giving them confidence by having all needed supplies.

The next event for Orleans County Just Friends will be held at Hoag Library on April 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. This event is “Snacks & a Movie” and will include a family movie, popcorn and drinks, an Easter egg hunt and special Easter treats for each child participant.

Just Friends is accepting donations of Easter baskets, plastic Easter eggs, candy and small toys for this event. If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about Just Friends, please call Jacki Mowers-Sciarabba, program coordinator at (585) 589-9210.