Together 4 Tomorrow..

August 1st, 2008 to August 14th, 2008 PAGE 26
Punjabi Patrika

With eight weeks remaining before the
Abbotsford News Cultural Diversity
Challenge deadline of September 19, we are
still seeking submissions. They will be two
categories: school aged children and adults.
The questions is, "What have you done or
could you do to include someone into your
culture or community organization?". I was
informed about an organization that is doing
exceptional in our community mentoring
young students. Together 4 Tomorrow, is a
social mentoring program for grade five
students in the Abbotsford community. They
have been operating since 2005, meeting at
Harry Sayers Elementary School on Saturday
mornings. Organizers mainly consist of
university students, who volunteer their time
investing in tomorrow's generation. Some of
their objectives include: leadership,
teamwork, friendship, social responsibility,
community awareness, and self-confidence.
Together 4 Tomorrow, President Sat Oberio
said, " The main goal is to fill the students
with self-confidence so that they are able to
make the appropriate decisions that all kids
going through middle school and high
school must make. All of the t4t leaders and
supervisors feel strongly that once the
students graduate from t4t, they hold a wealth
of tools to help them become future leaders
and extraordinary citizens. We also hope that
one day they'll want to come back to t4t and
become a mentor for younger students".
They will be able to have the experience that
none of us have, going from a student of t4t,
growing up, and then coming back full circle
as a mentor, said Oberio.
I applaud this group for having the vision
and taking it to our youth. At a generation,
where youth are faced with challenges from
outside sources in our society, they become
our wealth, which can be saved or lost.
Together 4 Tomorrow is looking for more
dedicated individuals, who want to become
friends and mentors for young students.
Walter Lippmann's quote can be easily found
on their brochure and reflects their purpose,
" The final test of a leader is that he leaves
behind him in other men the conviction and
the will to carry on". For more information
go to their website at www.together4tomorrow.net
If you can answer the diversity question in
300 words or less r email me at the address
below.
KenHerar@gmail.com