BankNewport is helping middle-school students stay on the right track with a $3,000 grant to help fund the expansion of the Bristol-Warren School Mentoring Program.

The program pairs youths with trained, adult mentors in addition to offering group-mentoring sessions. Founded in 2003 by Mosaico Community Development Corp., which responds to evolving physical, social and economic needs of the neighborhood, the program has 10 adult mentors and 30 participating students. Currently, more students are waiting to be matched with adults who will provide guidance and support by spending one-hour sessions helping with schoolwork, talking about issues and choices and sometimes participating in recreational activities.

Recently, BankNewport President and CEO Sandra J. Pattie and representatives from Mosaico stopped by Warren’s Kickemuit Middle School to visit with mentors and students participating in a group-mentoring session.

According to some research, students with mentors are less likely to engage in violence, drugs and alcohol use, and are more likely to stay in school. •