Cincinnati Community Action Now, the race relations task force established after last year's riots, announced Saturday a mentoring initiative that hopes to connect more than 2,000 adults with at-risk youths.

        From more than 100 pulpits today, pastors will ask their congregations to volunteer as part of a push to improve the lives of Cincinnati youth.

        “If we're going to make Cincinnati better, it has got to get personal,” said Ross Love, co-chair of Cincinnati CAN.

        Wendell Ellis, director of the Genesis Men's Program and a Cincinnati CAN member, will oversee the mentoring initiative, one of several programs the task force promised to deliver last November.

BE A MENTOR

Cincinnati Community Action Now urges all potential mentors to call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati at 421-4120.

        The task force hopes to attract thousands of mentors and put them in contact with such partners as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, Genesis Men's Program and Beech Acres.

        Cincinnati City Council member David Pepper, who mentors an 11- year-old Bond Hill boy, urged people to get involved.

        “There is nothing more important that we can do as individuals than serve as a mentor,” he said.

        “We as adults have to step up and sign up and become their mentors. I hope all Cincinnatians who have the time and ability to do it will step up. The better off we'll all be and the better off our community will be.”

        Lawyer Darran Winslow of Oakley and his “little brother,” Dewayne Johnson, 10, of the West End, met almost three years ago.

        “It's something that really changes two lives,” Mr. Winslow, 28, said. “You'll not only be able to help someone else, but you'll be able to help yourself. It's really about two people learning a lot about each other. He's helped broaden my horizon.”

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