ABOUT US

OUR MISSION
To strengthen youth mentoring programs through training, organizational consulting, and capacity building.

WHO WE ARE
MENTOR Central Ohio is a division of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio and an affiliate of MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership.

WHAT WE DO
MENTOR guides organizations to improve mentoring capacity, sustainability and safety to fill the significant gap between resources and at-risk youth in our community. While MENTOR does not offer direct mentoring services, we empower, guide and support organizations in Central Ohio to strengthen mentoring programs.

HISTORY
Founded in 1994 and originally known as Mentorship Columbus and shortly after became The Mentoring Center of Central Ohio, Throughout changes in leadership and structure over the years, MENTOR Central Ohio merged with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio to fill the gap by providing services to improve the quality and quantity of mentoring.

SERVICES WE PROVIDE
–Consulting (Technical Assistance) to mentoring program staff to align with best practices yielding positive youth outcomes. Technical Assistance covers a broad range of topics including sustainability, recruitment, development planning, matching, goal – setting, monitoring and support, closure, and evaluation.

–Training for Program staff, Mentors, and Youth

Mentors – training for mentors to be effective through cultural understanding and trauma-informed support

Program Staff – support and training for mentoring program staff on evidence-based effective practices in accordance with The Elements of Effective Practice TM

Youth workshops – Life skills for youth to support their continued growth on topics including time management, resiliency, career planning, bullying, and emotional management.

–Background Checks for partners – their mentors and program staff.

Now MENTOR Central Ohio, we are continuing to expand both our service menu and our reach with a goal of statewide coverage. Uniquely positioned as an intermediary, MENTOR Central Ohio does not offer mentoring services, rather we support the many individuals and organizations who do.

MENTOR Central Ohio offers evidence-based direction and solutions to these and many other challenges. As the Ohio Affiliate of MENTOR, we have access to tools and resources not available anywhere else in the state.

Our Services Include:

Training

Mentor Program Staff
Mentors
Mentees

Mentoring Program Support

New Programs
Existing Programs

Quality Mentoring
Program Certification

Certification program

Mentoring Resources

Programs
Mentors
Mentees
Parents

Our Team

Ami Peacock, MSW, LISW-S Director

Ami has a long association with mentoring as a former employee and contractor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio. She created and managed their first Hispanic Mentoring program. More recently she was the manager for the Mount Carmel West Healthy Living Center, where she created and developed bilingual health and wellness services for vulnerable communities addressing issues of infant mortality, obesity and chronic disease management. Prior to that she served as a hurricane relief social worker in Miami, Florida and lived in Argentina for a year teaching English to youth while doing community development work. Through these engagements she has managed staff, finances and fund acquisition / grant reporting, developed and cultivated partnerships with community organizations, designed and delivered training, and built programs and functions from the ground up. What a great journey of preparation for leading Mentor Central Ohio through its next exciting chapter!

apeacock@bbbscentralohio.org

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Courtney Koehler Administrative Specialist

Courtney McCaleb Koehler has served children and families of diverse backgrounds and cultures for over ten years. Originally from Columbus, she obtained her bachelor’s degree from Capital University and then returned home to serve her former, at-risk community as a teacher. Throughout her teaching and music career, Courtney served as the Positive Behaviors Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Co-Coordinator, facilitated a Building Leadership Team, and served as an Executive Board Member of a 501(c)3. As a volunteer, Courtney served as a mentor and Holiday Wish volunteer with Franklin County Children’s Services in addition to serving as the Resident Environmental Education Intern at the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge in Nampa, Idaho. During her time there she hosted children’s programs, community outreach events, workshops, and coordinated volunteers. Her most recent employment has been with Nationwide Children’s Hospital where she served in the Community Education Department as a trauma informed Parent Partner with the SPARK program (Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids), an in-home, kindergarten readiness program.

ckoehler@bbbscentralohio.org

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MENTOR Central Ohio Advisory Council

Elizabeth Martinez, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio
Kimeta Dover, Retired
Art Flesch, Retired
Jim Kilgore, CIVISTA Bank
Steven Miller, United Negro College Fund Inc.

John Schilling, Design Group
Michael Schilling, Franklin County Children Services
Kathleen Smith, Nationwide Insurance
Kip Wahlers, Ice Miller LLP
Randy Ware, AEP
Ron Wollett Stage Capital, LLC