James Brock, a retired U.S. Postal Service manager, was looking for a way to give back to his community.

        Terry Jones, recently released from a reform school, was living on the edge of trouble. The two met at Taft High School in 1991 — Mr. Brock, the mentor, and Mr. Jones, the mentee and a smart kid gone bad.

        Mr. Brock became his mentor through the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative.

        “He didn't have a chance to fail again,” Mr. Brock said. Everywhere Mr. Jones went, Mr. Brock was there watching out for him, checking his grades and his extracurricular activities. Mr. Brock visited the school, had lunch with his mentee and invited him to join family outings.

        Mr. Jones graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1997 and now works as a project manager for a health care consulting firm in Chicago.

        He credits his mentor for his success.

        That example has given the agency national recognition.

        In a two-year study of 19 programs across the country, the Pew Partnership for Civic Change said CYC's mentoring program is recognized as a national model for solving social problems.

        The agency will be honored at an awards dinner 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum Center in Washington, D.C.

        “The Cincinnati Youth Collaborative is demonstrating how citizens and organizations from all sectors of the community can join together to create hope and opportunity for young people,” said Suzanne Morse, executive director of the Pew Partnership. “Every community that wants to start or improve a mentoring program could benefit from learning about CYC.”

        The Pew Partnership in Charlottesville, Va., identifies and documents promising solutions crucial to strong communities. It is funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts in Philadelphia.

        A new computer at the Harrison Branch Library will be called Cool Cube, a name submitted by Andy Robben, a Harrison High School senior. The name was selected from 87 entries.

        Tyler Vincent, 14, a member of the Fairfield Middle School golf team, shot a hole-in-one at the new Fairfield North Trace Golf course recently.

        Records at the pro shop indicate that Tyler used a 7 iron on the 188-yard, par 3 number 2 hole.

        John Wirthlin, a lawyer and decorated World War II hero, will be the featured speaker at A Tribute to Our Veterans to commemorate Memorial Day at the Madisonville Branch Library, 4820 Whetsel Ave., at 6 p.m. May 23.

       Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.
       

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