Bryanna Restelli

23 Ward Avenue
Westerly, RI 02891
14 October 2016
Mr. Fusco
Westerly High School
23 Ward Avenue
Westerly, RI 02891
Dear Mr. Fusco:
Over the past couple of years I have found myself becoming invested in wanting to learn more about
the foster care system. Previously I researched the topic back in 2014 for my sophomore independent
project. However this year I would like to make a bigger impact and take a different outlook on the
situation.
For my senior project I am volunteering at the YMCA in their Reach and RiseTM
program which is a
mentoring program for children who suffered abuse. Although I am not old enough to become a
mentor I am working with the program to help recruit people within the community to donate their
time and become a mentor. I hope to achieve this goal by hosting an informational dinner on January
2017 about the importance of mentors and how a mentor can make a difference in a childs life.
In order to fully understand how mentoring programs operate, I will research the history of mentoring
programs. In addition to, I plan to research different types of abuse and how a child is affected by
each one differently. Every child deserves care and it is my mission to understand the significance
behind mentoring programs and how they combat children's mental and physical state.
To go above and beyond and truly make a difference within the community I will not only host an
informational dinner but I will also attend mentor classes and observe the training that goes into it.
Moreover, I will also ask local business to help by donating gift cards or any merchandise to use in a
raffle in which all the money will be donated to the YMCA to further mentoring programs. From this
project I will understand the importance of mentors and help mentees find the appropriate care.
Kim Burrows, a social worker for DCYF, has offered to be my mentor and help support my senior
project. She has been working with foster children who have suffered various types of abuse and has
helped me in the past to further my knowledge on the foster care system.
Sincerely,

Bryanna Restelli