Chip Burke Honored with Mentoring Award at Library of Congress
Published
On January 28, 2015, MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR) convened leaders in expanding quality youth mentoring at the Library of Congress to kick off the fifth-annual National Mentoring Summit. During this special reception, MENTOR honored champions of mentoring with the annual presentation of the national Excellence in Mentoring Awards. Charles R. Burke, Jr. (Chip), chairman of Pittsburgh’s Grable Foundation, was recognized for his passion and dedication to mentoring.
“This is a special year for MENTOR as we celebrate 25 years of building a mentoring movement in partnership with so many extraordinary leaders, including Chip Burke, across sectors and the nation who use their platforms to create more mentoring opportunities for young people,” said David Shapiro, CEO of MENTOR. “This year’s group demonstrates why the movement has made so much progress in closing the mentoring gap as well as the type of steadfast dedication and visionary creativity it will take to provide a mentor for the one in three youth who are still growing up without the benefit of a caring adult.”
Burke is responsible for helping to establish The Mentoring Partnership of SW PA (TMP) and is recognized as an ally to youth-serving programs in the Pittsburgh region—supporting early childhood initiatives; working with school systems to bring resources for teachers and students; and supporting out-of-school time programs and community development efforts to help create safe neighborhoods and play spaces. In every way, he ensures quality relationships are in the forefront of civic discussions.
“[My goal is that] every child is safe, cared for and provided opportunities to learn and create; kids’ voices are heard; resources are made available to all kids and each of us gives back however possible,” said Burke.
The Excellence in Mentoring awards honor individuals who have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to meeting the mentoring needs of young people at the national, state, or local level. Nominations were solicited from MENTOR’s national network of affiliate Mentoring Partnerships and national mentoring and youth-serving organizations. TMP was honored to nominate Burke for his award.
“Chip Burke’s impact on kids in our community is profound,” said TMP Executive Director Colleen Fedor. “He delivers both time and treasure and sees the critical opportunity to ensure that all kids have access to high-quality mentoring.”
As part of the National Mentoring Summit, TMP presented three workshops to mentoring constituents across the country. The Summit is the only national forum that brings together practitioners, researchers, corporate partners, government and civic leaders, national youth-serving organizations and the network of affiliate Mentoring Partnerships to explore and advance mentoring’s positive impact on individuals and communities.
TMP Executive Director Colleen Fedor presents Chip Burke with the Excellence in Mentoring Award at the Library of Congress.
Celebrating Chip Burke's Excellence in Mentoring Award at the Library of Congress. Pictured clockwise from left: Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools Dr. Linda Lane, Chip Burke, Doug MacPhail, Carol MacPhail, TMP Executive Director Colleen Fedor and Carole Burke.
