Rural Parent Mentor Program

10/05/2026

Volunteers needed! We’ve recently had some spots open up, come on and join!

09/30/2026

🌟 Learning, Growing & Bringing It Back Home! 🌟
Shelesse Garza McCulley, Ladders of Opportunity Organizer, is in Chicago with the Ladders team for a valuable workshop focused on learning new tools, resources, and strategies.
We’re excited to bring this knowledge back to our rural communities and use what we learn to better support, connect with, and serve our local participants. 💜💛
Investing in our team means investing in the families, schools, and communities we serve! We’re proud to see Shelesse representing our local Ladders of Opportunity team and bringing new ideas back home. 🌱✨

WIU Ladders of Opportunity | Building opportunities. Strengthening communities.

09/25/2026

Bushnell-Prairie City Coordinator Roberta Harper had a great time at Family Fun Night! Thank you to everyone who stopped by to spin the wheel and win a prize!
There’s still time to sign up to be a parent mentor. Reach out to Roberta Harper at [email protected] if you’re interested! ❤️💙

09/25/2026

MacArthur staff felt the love from Ladders of Opportunity and the Parent Mentor Program today. What better way to celebrate a Friday and 9/25 for Dolly Parton than a quick boost of energy!

09/04/2026

🌟 Celebrating Parent Leadership! 🌟
A big shoutout to Yadira Ta , Parent Mentor Coordinator at MacArthur ECC, for teaching a beginner ESL course to three Spanish-speaking parents who want to volunteer in their children’s schools! ❤️
Yadira’s goal is to unite school and community while reducing barriers to parent involvement. What an amazing example of creating opportunities for every family to feel welcomed, valued, and represented! 🙌
A special thank you to Kristy Reusch, Principal at MacArthur ECC, and her staff for being so welcoming, accommodating, and committed to representation and inclusion in our schools. 💙
Together, we’re building stronger schools, families, and communities! 🌎✨

09/02/2026

🎉We would love to take a moment to congratulate last year’s Edison Elementary parent mentor participant- Stephanie Calvetti, on her success with the program.
She worked with our Ladders Organizer, Shelesse Garza McCulley last year, and earned her STA. She was offered a position at MacArthur Early Childhood Center, and is now a paraprofessional!🎉

08/29/2026

🎉We would love to take a moment to congratulate last year’s B-PC Elementary parent mentor participant- Valerie Ross, on her success with the program.
She worked with our Ladders Organizer, Shelesse Garza McCulley last year, and earned her STA. After subbing last school year, she was offered a full-time position with WCISEC and is now a paraprofessional!🎉

08/27/2026

📣 We only need 3 more Parent Mentors! 📣

Want to make a difference right here at Bushnell-Prairie City Elementary? ❤️

The Parent Mentor Program gives parents the opportunity to support students in the classroom, build new skills, receive weekly professional development, and earn a stipend for successfully completing the program!

✨ Just 3 spots left — one of them could be yours!

Interested or want to learn more?
Email [email protected] 💙

08/26/2026