The Power of Connection

🗓 Thursday, October 23, 2025

🕗 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM

📍 University of Hartford - Gengras Student Union

The Power of Connection: Mentoring for Engagement, Academic Success & Workforce Readiness

This dynamic, cross-sector event promises to explore how mentoring can transform student outcomes through inspiring keynotes, expert panels, and hands-on workshops.

School and district leaders will gain strategic tools to combat chronic absenteeism. Educators and youth workers will discover trauma-informed and inclusive mentoring practices that uplift all students. Workforce and higher education professionals will explore mentoring pathways that connect youth to college and career readiness. Business and community partners will learn how to structure high-impact collaborations and mentoring initiatives.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and lead with others committed to advancing youth success through school-based mentoring.

Conference Objectives

• Equip participants with knowledge and tools to enhance youth mentoring initiatives.
• Provide strategies for addressing student engagement and prosocial behavior through mentoring.
• Showcase best practices and research in youth mentoring.
• Build connections among stakeholders to create sustainable mentoring pipelines.

Audience

• School & District Leadership - Superintendents, principals, assistant principals, and district administrators.
• Educators, Counselors, & Youth Practitioners - Teachers, school counselors, paraprofessionals, youth development professionals, and mentoring program staff.
• Post-Secondary & Workforce Pathways - College access providers, workforce development professionals, and mentoring partners focused on career readiness.
• Corporate & Community Engagement - Business leaders, HR professionals, small business owners, funders, and cross-sector partners.

2025 Event Sponsors

Sponsorship opportunities are available! Please contact Jo at [email protected] for more information.

Please Read Important Information Before You Register

The conference fee is $99. This includes all conference activities, lunch, and snacks throughout the day, and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available.

Contact Jo Hawke - [email protected] with any questions.

This conference is a collaborative initiative by MENTOR Connecticut led by The Governor’s Prevention Partnership (GPP) and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services.

Info: Charlene Russell-Tucker, Commissioner, Connecticut State Department of Education; Nancy Narvaretto, Commissioner, Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services; Jermaine Myrie, CEO, MENTOR; KEYNOTE Julie Silard Kantor, Founder, Twomentor, LLC; Roland Harmon, Co-President, The Governor’s Prevention Partnership

Info: (Choose a session)

• Creating Bridges Between Schools, Employers, and Higher Education
• Engaging Community Members as Mentors: Structuring Programs that Work for Schools and Business
• Job-Shadowing and Project-Based Mentoring Opportunities in Collaboration with Local Businesses: Public-Private Partnerships That Improve Outcomes
• Mentoring Youth from High School to College and Beyond (Panel)
• Strengthening Mentoring Through Family Engagement
• Trauma-Informed Mentoring Practices: Creating Safe & Supportive Relationships

Info: (Choose a session)

• Engaging 12-Sectors: Building Strong Community Partnerships
• Fostering Inclusion and Belonging
• School-Based Initiatives to Build Job Skills
• Sustaining School-Based Mentoring: Funding for Long-Term Impact
• Using Student Mentors to Support School Transitions

Info: Jermaine Myrie, CEO, MENTOR (Moderator); Alexandra Estrella, EdD, Norwalk Public Schools; Darren Schwartz, EdD, Superintendent, Waterbury Public Schools; Chris DiPentima, CEO, CBIA; Adrienne Parkmond, COO, The Workplace, Inc.; Roland Harmon, Co-President, The Governor's Prevention Partnership.

Info: Thea Montanez, Senior Advisor to Governor Lamont

Host or Publisher The Governor's Prevention Partnership