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 Home > News & Policies > December 2008

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 2, 2008

President Bush Participates in Roundtable on Mentoring Children of Prisoners Initiative
Youth Focus, Inc.
Greensboro, North Carolina

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11:58 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: I am thankful that you all have come to talk to me about a very important initiative, and it's a mentoring program aimed at helping children of people who are incarcerated.

I set a goal for the country that from 2003 until 2008 that we'd have 100,000 such matches with adults combined with a child who could use some love. And I'm pleased that as of September we've exceeded that goal. And I want to thank you all for being a part of a program that hopefully is bringing hope to people's lives. I think it is.

President George W. Bush participates in a roundtable on mentoring children of prisoners initiative Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008, at the Youth Focus, Inc., in Greensboro, N.C., where President Bush praised the Youth Focus program for their work in helping youngsters toward a brighter future. White House photo by Chris Greenberg First of all, I want to thank Stacey, Julia, and Destiney for sharing their stories, and I wish you all the best. I hope you -- you're -- I know you're appreciative that Joe, Melissa, and Emilee have taken time out of their lives to help you. I am hopeful that somebody who watches this show, watches this program, realizes that they can make a difference in a child's life; that it doesn't take much. Oh, it takes some time, it takes a little bit of extra love, but by helping a child, you can really help the country. You help yourself by loving, but you help America -- one heart, one soul at a time.

So, Chuck, thank you for your hospitality. The Youth Focus program here in Greensboro, North Carolina, is a part of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Big Brothers and Big Sisters have provided the mentors to these three youngsters. These youngsters got ambitions and goals. They want to go to college. They want to make a difference. And I suspect that the mentors will be anxiously following the career of someone who they have -- they've been able to help.

And so thank you all for coming. God bless you, and good luck to you.

END 12:01 P.M. EST


President George W. Bush listens to participants during a roundtable on mentoring children of prisoners initiative Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008, at the Youth Focus, Inc., in Greensboro, N.C. President Bush praised the Youth Focus program for their mentoring work in helping youngsters toward a brighter future. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W. Bush participates in a roundtable on mentoring children of prisoners initiative Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008, at the Youth Focus, Inc., in Greensboro, N.C., where President Bush praised the Youth Focus program for their work in helping youngsters toward a brighter future. White House photo by Chris Greenberg