TAMPA, Fla. — Project Primavera along with the City of Pittsburgh present the Mentorfest at 23 Market Square, Saturday, Oct. 24, from 1-6pm. Join in the music festivities with the Ethan Parker Band (rhythm & folk), 28 North (alternative rock), Donora (indie pop), Justin Fabus Band (country), Memphis Hill (blues rock), and special guest Mia Z (Pittsburgh’s NBC The Voice contestant from season 8). This is a free family-friendly event offering lots of fun activities for the kids. Rain or Shine.
The goal is to make a difference by spreading hope in the lives of orphans and at-risk youth across the nation. Come out and be a part of the movement.
The Ethan Parker Band is on the second leg of their 60-city tour across the U.S. They’ve teamed up with other bands and are on the road, performing free concerts, to bring awareness and mobilize individuals to take action through mentoring children in their communities. “Our goal is to make a difference, but more specifically, spread hope in the lives of orphans and at-risk youth. These kids need to know they are valued,” said Ethan Parker, Director Project Primavera and Lead Singer.
Parker founded Project Primavera to introduce orphans and at-risk youth to art, music, dance and theatre in an effort to develop their passions and dreams. Primavera means early springtime, a time of newness and growth. The Project is dedicated to alerting the surrounding community to the needs of orphans and informing the public on how they can be of assistance.
Recently, Parker’s organization teamed up with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Youth Villages, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and several other children’s organizations in hopes to create change. Mentoring programs are proven to raise children’s odds for succeeding in school, behaving nonviolently, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and breaking negative cycles.
In a nationwide study provided by BBBS, independent research shows that mentoring programs such as Big Brothers Big Sisters have a measurable, positive impact on children’s lives. Little Brothers and Little Sisters were:
• 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
• 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
• 52% less likely to skip school
• 37% less likely to skip a class
• more confident of their performance in schoolwork
• one-third less likely to hit someone
• getting along better with their families
Last year, thousands of kids across the U.S. were placed with mentors, but the need for help is always growing. There are still thousands of kids waiting for mentors.
“We’ve always loved playing music. But, we came to a point where we knew there had to be something more. We knew that it wasn’t about fame and money. That seemed empty—worthless. It had to be bigger than that,” said Parker.
“We may have 1,000 people (in the crowd) but one person comes up and says, I realized what my mission is on this earth and for us that’s a win,” said band member Pierre Aristil.
With thousands of at-risk kids across the nation waiting to be paired with a mentor, the need is great. Ethan Parker hopes the message is greater.
Mentorfest is supporting the following not-for-profit organizations: United Way, Mentor 2.0, Reading is Fundamental, Mt. Ararat Community Activity Center, The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern PA, and Project Primavera.
For more information on Mentorfest, visit mentorfest.org.
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