Washoe County gets federal grant to help at-risk youths

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Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999 | 11:55 a.m.

The county was one of 73 to be picked for the grants out of 424 applications nationwide, Nevada Sens. Richard Bryan and Harry Reid said Wednesday.

It's part of the Juvenile Mentoring Program (JUMP) run by the Justice Department's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

The county will recruit volunteers to serve as JUMP mentors, working at least one hour a week with students to improve academic performance and supplement job skills.

"From police officers to college students to members of the business community, these volunteers will become role models to the youngsters as they steer their way through the often difficult adolescent and teenage years," Bryan said.

Reid said Nevada has the highest drop-out rate in the country.

"Programs like the Mentor Center are a great way to empower our children and encourage them to stay in school," he said.