[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 18 (Monday, February 1, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E74-E75]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE NATIONAL CARES MENTORING MOVEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 1, 2016

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the National 
CARES Mentoring Movement on the occasion of its 10th Anniversary Gala, 
``For the Love of Our Children: A National Call to Commitment.'' On 
January 25, 2016, National CARES celebrated the work it has done to 
break the cycle of intergenerational Black poverty, and its deepening 
commitment to the critical work that remains.
  Founded by Susan L. Taylor in 2006 under the moniker ``Essence 
CARES'', the National CARES Mentoring Movement was established to 
protect and elevate our nation's most vulnerable children. Ms. Taylor's 
vision for Essence CARES first arose in 2005, in the aftermath of 
Hurricane Katrina.
  Today, the National CARES Mentoring Movement has grown into an 
organization focused on community mobilization comprised of local 
affiliates in 58 cities across the nation. These affiliates recruit, 
train, and place mentors in schools and youth-serving programs. To 
date, more than 150,000 men and women have served as CARES mentors with 
organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys and Girls 
Clubs of America, and many more.
  The National CARES Mentoring Movement is the only national 
organization working with youth groups and schools to build culturally 
competent STEM-literacy training and workforce-readiness programs. Its 
initiatives, known as ``The Risings,'' are working to build capacity in 
some of our nation's most blighted black communities. Designed to heal 
trauma and transform lives, The Rising initiatives focus on the 
academic, social, and emotional development of children who are living 
in deep poverty.
  One of the initiatives, known as HBCU Rising, is based in Atlanta and 
is designed to be replicated through the Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities (HBCU) system. It interweaves strong workforce-
development and career-readiness skills for college-student mentors and 
the middle school children they serve. The Rising also operates in 
challenged high schools across the nation, guiding students through 
interactive lessons designed to encourage critical thinking skills, 
excellence in academics, and preparation for success in college and 
careers.
  On a personal note, I want to thank Susan for her wise counsel, her 
tremendous leadership, her inspiration and her friendship. It is her 
loving spirit that keeps us hopeful for a better world for our 
children. This milestone in her life reminds us that we too must and 
can lead a purposeful life to secure the future for our children. For 
this, along with so many who honor and celebrate her at this important 
moment in her journey, I am deeply grateful.
  On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional 
District, I congratulate the National CARES Mentoring Movement on 10 
years of exemplary service. We wish them continued success as they 
continue to work to ensure the healing, social, and academic wellness 
of some of our nation's most defenseless--African-American children. 
Again, I

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wish the National CARES Mentoring Movement well as it strives to end 
intergenerational poverty in our African-American communities.

                          ____________________