After nearly two decades as Central Indiana’s best-known champion
for adult mentoring, Trusted Mentors Executive Director and Founder Jeri Warner
has announced plans to retire in May 2023.
Under Warner’s leadership, Trusted Mentors has shown that
successful adult mentoring relationships can change lives and build a better
community. The organization recruits, trains,
and supports volunteer mentors dedicated to helping at-risk adults practice
life skills that lead to stability, employment, and a strong sense of
self-worth. Hundreds of individuals who have previously experienced
homelessness, incarceration, and other challenges have found success as part of
Trusted Mentors.
The
organization’s roots go back to 2003, when the Coalition for Homeless
Intervention & Prevention asked Warner to develop a mentoring
program—called Trusted Partners—for adults at risk of homelessness. Using best
practices, Warner built the program and served as a mentor herself. By 2008,
the fledgling idea had grown into an independent 501c3 nonprofit and adopted
its current name. Over time, Trusted Mentors expanded by serving individuals participating
in re-entry programs, as well as young adults (ages 18-24) aging out of foster
care, diagnosed with a mental health issue, or who were alone and new moms.
The power of
adult mentoring has been recognized by local funders and partner nonprofits. In
2016, Trusted Mentors was one of six recipients of a special $100,000 Visionary
Award from the Indianapolis Foundation. In 2022, the organization received a
$150,000 Elevation Grant, Indianapolis’ signature crime-prevention initiative.
Currently, Trusted Mentors provides trained mentors to more than 20 Indianapolis
organizations and assists with the peer mentor program at RecycleForce.
“I am always humbled by the work of
the mentors and mentees to overcome the enormous challenges in their lives. I
am confident that I am passing on a strong organization that under new
leadership will continue to grow and serve the community,” said Warner.
Speaking on behalf of the Board,
President Melissa Weseli praised Warner’s passion, leadership, and vision. “What Jeri has built with Trusted
Mentors will change lives for years to
come. We are grateful she is leaving behind such a healthy and impactful
organization; we wish her many years of
well-deserved happiness in retirement.”
Trusted Mentors is working in partnership with Empower
Nonprofit Consulting LLC to recruit Executive Director candidates. For more
information about this opportunity, contact Don Gulbrandsen at (641) 373-3375
or Don@EmpowerNonprofit. com.
