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Mentor of the Year - Grant Smith
Grant Smith was inspired when he began mentoring and creating life changing experiences for his 11-year-old mentee, Andrew, and his brother, Aaron, in 2010. Their mother speaks of the phenomenal impact he has had on her children’s lives. Grant has given them the opportunity to become involved with various activities and encouraged them to grow and learn. He supported them to play sports, attend career exploration programs and achieve academically. He also serves to make sure other youth have the same opportunity to be mentored. Grant is the volunteer president of the Waterford Youth Assistance program where he recruits mentors and networks with local organizations to provide resources. He is continuously making positive changes with the best interest of youth in mind. Grant’s compassion for mentoring one young man grew to supporting an entire mentoring program and resulted in solidifying the program’s viability to serve Waterford families. His actions are not conducted to embellish his resume, but instead are rooted in a genuine desire to help youth long after his presidency ends.