Since 1995, The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern PA has been leading the local movement to connect young people with caring adults. They provide a unique, inclusive approach that encourages all youth programs to mentor - whether formally or informally - to provide guidance and support that will enable young people achieve their potential.  As a resource to local programs, The Mentoring Partnership is well aware of what mentoring programs exist, the level to which those programs meet best practices (Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring Programs) and the unique needs of individual programs.  

Every two years, they take the time to celebrate and commend the community leaders, mentors and mentees in our area.  At this year’s event ,The Magic of Mentoring, held in October, The Mentoring Partnership honored CareBreak volunteer Christina Royster and her CareBreak family members James Convard and Malcolm Mobley with the Mentor/Mentee Relationship Award.  They were nominated by CareBreak coordinator Mary Jo Alimena Caruso.  Christina, Malcolm and James were chosen from over 15 area mentoring programs in Western PA.  CareBreak at The Watson Institute is the only local program specifically designed to match children with disabilities with volunteer mentors.

Christina volunteers her time with two amazing brothers:   James, 14, diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Malcolm, 13, diagnosed with an Autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit disorder.  Christina brings a genuine understanding and compassion to the boys and their family.  She values her CareBreak mentees and has been a consistent presence in their lives.  She offers a relationship based on trust and respect.  Her activities are structured around the individual abilities and interests of the boys, with an eye on balancing opportunities to bring them together, all while offering  them quality one on one time as well.

James and Malcolm’s parents describe the CareBreak relationship as a “dream come true” and Christina as a treasure who is a friendly, reliable, communicative and helpful volunteer mentor and respite provider.  In Mary Jo’s nomination of Christina, she wrote “Christina is an asset to our program, her mentee family and the community.  She has given the gift of her time, experience, motivation and love to Malcolm and James.  The CareBreak program is honored to be the recipient of Christina’s time and is grateful to Malcolm and James for participating in this wonderful mentoring relationship”.