Contact: Rebecca Neale, White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, 202-456-7348

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Wednesday, January 23, 2008, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives will convene a Compassion in Action Roundtable entitled, "Faith-Based and Community Mentoring that Changes Lives." 

Hosted by Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Director Jay Hein and keynoted by America's Promise Alliance Chief Executive Officer Marguerite Kondracke, the roundtable will bring together government officials, policymakers, business leaders, foundation representatives, philanthropists and faith-based and community leaders to highlight innovative and effective policies and partnerships in mentoring and ways President Bush's Faith-Based and Community Initiative is working to transform lives.

President Bush proclaimed January 2008 as National Mentoring Month and called on all Americans to recognize the importance of mentoring, to look for opportunities to serve as mentors in their communities, and to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs.

A complete event agenda is attached.

White House Compassion in Action Roundtable:
"Faith-Based and Community Mentoring that Changes Lives"

WHERE:       
The White House
Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB)
Room 450

WHEN:          
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EST

Members of the press arrive at the Northwest Appointment Gate by 9:00 a.m. EST to ensure entry.

NOTE:           Members of the press who do not have a White House press credential must fax his or her name (as it appears on his or her driver's license), Social Security number and date of birth on company letterhead to (202) 456-7019 no later than 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 22, 2008.  For additional credentialing or logistical questions, please call (202) 456-7348.    

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Faith-Based and Community Mentoring that Changes Lives
January 23, 2008

9:30 am          
Welcome and Introduction
Jay Hein, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director
White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

9:40 am          
Mentoring and the Amachi Model
Rev. Dr. W. Wilson Goode Sr., Director, Amachi
MCP Match: Gretchen Duerst and Aron Miranda, Committed Partners for Youth, Oregon 

10:00 am        
Showcase of Compassion
Moderator: Gail Manza, Executive Director, MENTOR
Lowell Perry, Sr., CEO, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee 
Blaine Bishop, former Tennessee Titans star, Mentor 
Maggie Allen, Director of Special Projects and STARS Mentoring Project, Pima Prevention Partnership, Arizona 
Mike Gottfried, Founder and CEO, Team Focus and College Football Game Analyst
Mitchell Lowery, Team Focus, Service Recipient
Terry Fisher, Mentoring Director, Transformation Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky
De'Ron Smith, Transformation Cincinnati, Service Recipient

11:00  am       
Public/Private Strategies to Promote Mentoring 
Jay Winsten, Associate Dean, Harvard School of Public Health, and Director, Harvard Mentoring Project
Renata Cobbs-Fletcher, Vice President for Public Policy and Community Partnerships, Public/Private Ventures
Paul Fleischmann, President, National Network of Youth Ministries 
PSA: Mentoring Children of Prisoners
MCP Match: Crystal White and Shaderra Wallace, New York City Mission Society

11:30 am        
Call to Action
Marguerite Kondracke, President and CEO, America's Promise Alliance