Our three mentoring coordinators have years of experience in youth mentoring programs in northeast Iowa. They are passionate about connecting youth with a caring mentor. Reach out to Kathy, Ellen, or Colinne and they will be happy to create another successful youth mentoring match!
For general questions, feel free to email mentoring@helpingservices.org.
Kathy Schwartzhoff
Hi! I am so glad you are exploring mentoring! I am proud to share that I am the employee who has the longest history in the agency! I have worked in the areas of Child Care Information & Referral, Substance Abuse Prevention, Tobacco Prevention, and Youth Mentoring. I have been with Youth Mentoring since its inception in 1998! I live in the country outside of Decorah with my husband. I have three grown children. Two of them have been or are mentors and two of them have been mentees. I am the proud grandma of three grandgirls. I enjoy doing puppetry, being in plays, gardening, and being with friends and family. I have seen many changes in mentoring over the years. I have seen youth that walk a little taller because they have a role model that is there for them. I have seen mentors bringing hope to their youth when their struggles seemed too much to bear. I have seen a youth who was shy and bullied turn into a confident young man that is living his dream as a racecar driver. I treasure the countless smiles I see on the faces of youth in our program, their proud mentors, and their grateful parents/guardians. If you are looking for a way to bring hope, smiles, and confidence to young people, mentoring is the answer for you!
Delaware County
Howdy! I am blessed to be the Youth Mentoring Coordinator in Delaware County! I live northeast of Strawberry Point on an acreage with my husband and three kids. My favorite time is when I am with them. We find a lot of joy in hiking, fishing, exploring the great outdoors, taking care of our land and animals, and playing games together. I accepted this role because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of kids in our community and encourage others to do the same. Mentoring is a way to speak life into people. I am thankful to be a part of this great movement and to see, first hand, how it changes people’s lives!
Colinne McCann
Hello! I am one of the Mentoring Coordinators in Allamakee, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties. I have lived in Decorah for the last 14 years. I have a male partner who is riding this life train with me and my daughter and his three children. I graduated from Luther College in 2015 with my BA in social work. I volunteer in Winneshiek County as a Girl Scout leader and Service Unit Director. I teach first grade Sunday school. I enjoy walking the glorious trails of Decorah, spending time with my family, and painting. I love being a mentoring coordinator because I feel my job makes a difference and has a visible impact on the youth in my community. This fills my heart with joy and gratitude that my work means something.