The Southcoast Mentoring Initiative for Learning, Education and Service (SMILES) program began in October and now operates in a number of schools in Fall River. The Southcoast Mentoring Initiative for Learning, Education and Service is a coalition of caring people and organizations from around the Southcoast region of Massachusetts dedicated to creating quality mentoring matches for the children of the area. The mission of the organization is to help at risk children realize their personal and educational potential through a large scale one-on-one mentoring program. SMILES, pioneered by Jim Mathes former President of the New Bedford Chamber of Commerce, has recruited over five hundred volunteer mentors in for 26 programs in Fall River, New Bedford and Wareham. For more information about the program, contact  Marie-Frances Rivera at 508-999-9300.
 

(Top row, left) Lincoln School fourth-grader Kyle Alexandre Botelho talks with Mentor Bob Horne, Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Fall River. (Top row, center) Mentor Ellie Viera looks over a letter that Megan Holden is writing to military service personnel overseas. (Top row, right) Sarah Sylvia interviews Robert Alves during a game of questions. (Middle row, left) Ten-year-old Franky Defreitas starts his letter. (Middle row, center) Mentor Karen Fischer, right, introduces herself to mentee Kevin Nehi and the rest of the group on the first day. (Middle row, right) Mentor Gayle Orlando listens as mentee Angely Valle describes the things she likes. (Bottom row, left) Mentor Michelle Colberg listens to her mentee Angely Valle as she describes herself. (Bottom row, center) Mentor Bob Horne coaches Kenneth Raposa as he prepares a letter. (Bottom row, right) Mentors Diana Victor and Barbara Shore listen to a student as he goes over his personal qualities.