Newton, IL, USA / WIKK 103.5 FM The Eagle | Classic Rock Mar 9, 2021 8:22 AM (OLNEY) Congratulations to two Olney women, recognized by the Illinois Principals Association for their partnership to provide a school-based one-on-one youth mentoring program. Cris Edwards, Principal for the Richland County Elementary School, and Dana Baker, Director of Mentor Richland County, have jointly received the 2021 Reaching Out & Building Bridges Award from the IPA. Created to recognize an IPA principal or assistant principal, and an agency, association, or community member displaying an outstanding effort in creating partnerships between schools, principals, associations, and organizations for the betterment of all. The current school-based one-on-one youth mentoring program at ERES in Olney serves 60 children in Richland County who face adversity and are in need of individual attention. Among the mentors are high school juniors and/or seniors, plus college students and adults from the community. While all mentors are background checked with an interview and training, the mentors are matched with a student, with whom the mentors spend at least an hour a week helping with homework, playing games, and getting to know their students. Beginning several years ago, the program is worthy, no doubt, of the recognition, especially to the two Olney women and all the special mentors, past and present, at Richland County Elementary School in Olney.