Mentors At The Movies

NBA Star Amare Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns will make a special appearance on Sat. to show the value of mentoring & to help encourage more adults to become mentors. The Governor’s Office for Children, Youth & Families, Division for Community & Youth Development will host the special mentor recognition event on Sat., Jan. 20th, in celebration of National Mentoring Month.

The Mentors at the Movies event will be held at the Harkins Theatre - Scottsdale Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, beginning at 9 a.m. Following a short program, attendees will enjoy a private screening of the film Akeelah and the Bee, a heartwarming story of how a mentoring relationship transformed a young girl’s life. Mentors & mentees from programs around the state have been invited to attend the celebration.

“I am thrilled that Amare has agreed to participate with my office on this event,” said Gov. Napolitano. “There are numerous studies that show the positive impact a mentor can have in the life of a child, & Amare’s personal experience with mentoring makes him a great spokesperson on the topic.”

Prior to the start of the movie, Stoudemire will speak briefly about his mentoring experience as a youth & the significant role mentors have played in his life.

“Mentoring is something I’ve always felt strongly about & it’s such an easy way for adults to give back to the community. I’m happy to be a part of this event & to support Gov. Napolitano’s Mentoring Initiative,” said Stoudemire.

Mentors at the Movies & other National Mentoring Month events are designed to highlight the critical role mentors play, to promote the benefits of youth mentoring programs & to encourage adults to consider volunteering as mentors. There are over 130 mentoring programs in Az. seeking volunteers, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona & Free Arts of Arizona. Some programs require as little as an hour a week from participants. Anyone interested in mentoring can visit volunteerarizona.org/mentoring.

Starbucks & Harkins Theatres are sponsor of this free event supporting the Governor’s Mentoring Initiative & National Mentoring Month. Registration for the event's full.