November 6, 2020 View as Webpage
In Stark County, Relationships Matter
Mentoring relationships play a significant role in helping young people build happy, successful and productive lives. At a time when young people are feeling especially isolated, a new website is facilitating connection and collaboration.

MentorStark, an online hub designed to grow the local mentoring movement, launched in April 2020 and began with a three-part question:

  1. What if we could plot out all the opportunities available to young people in order to identify gaps?
  2. What if we could gather aggregate data and report the universal impact of the programs in our community in order to secure national funding?
  3. What if we could identify opportunities to share resources between local programs so their leaders can focus more on working with their youth?
Embedded in those inquiries are the ideas that underpin MentorStark: creating collaborations among the many youth support systems in Stark County; developing metrics to celebrate and share what works; and developing networks of practice to successfully fundraise beyond the borders of the county.
The year 2020 has been challenging for everyone. Yet in seven short months, MentorStark – under the leadership of visionary Founder, Laurie Moline – has made remarkable strides connecting with twenty-five community mentoring organizations and ten career mentoring programs. This fall, MentorStark began hosting virtual meetings twice a month where these groups, along with community and education leaders, discuss partnerships and opportunities that often lead to new ideas. At one recent meeting, The Martin Center and Chester’s Mopshop discussed an idea of how they could work with En-Rich-Ment to help youth learn broadcasting and announcing skills during The Martin Center’s youth basketball leagues. The Canton Charge quickly jumped in offering access to media professionals who could provide the young people with advice and guidance. "The collaboration is really exciting," Moline commented.
The website, www.mentorstark.org, provides resources for exploring careers, job hunting, internships and military opportunities. The site also publicizes events and offers opportunities to be a part of MentorStark.

"We have so many amazing programs that are helping young people build connections and social capital, but it is not always easy to find them,” said Moline. "Our hope is this website can help facilitate more relationships across Stark County."

Stark Education Partnership is proud to be among the sponsors of MentorStark. For more information or to get involved, email
The Stark Education Partnership (a 501(c)3 non-profit organization) collaborates with education, business, civic and community members across the entire spectrum – cradle to career – to create and respond to opportunities that will provide ALL students with education and career success.