The Power of Connection

The Power of Connection: Mentoring for Engagement, Academic Success, & Workforce Readiness Conference has been rescheduled January 2026 to align with National Mentoring Month. This timing will allow us to bring even more people together for a day of learning, connection, and collaboration.

🗓 Tuesday, January 13th, 2026

🕗 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM

📍 University of Hartford - Gengras Student Union

The Power of Connection: Mentoring for Engagement, Academic Success & Workforce Readiness

This dynamic, cross-sector event promises to explore how mentoring can transform student outcomes through inspiring keynotes, expert panels, and hands-on workshops.

School and district leaders will gain strategic tools to combat chronic absenteeism. Educators and youth workers will discover trauma-informed and inclusive mentoring practices that uplift all students. Workforce and higher education professionals will explore mentoring pathways that connect youth to college and career readiness. Business and community partners will learn how to structure high-impact collaborations and mentoring initiatives.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and lead with others committed to advancing youth success through school-based mentoring.

Conference Objectives

• Equip participants with knowledge and tools to enhance youth mentoring initiatives.
• Provide strategies for addressing student engagement and prosocial behavior through mentoring.
• Showcase best practices and research in youth mentoring.
• Build connections among stakeholders to create sustainable mentoring pipelines.

Audience

• School & District Leadership - Superintendents, principals, assistant principals, and district administrators.
• Educators, Counselors, & Youth Practitioners - Teachers, school counselors, paraprofessionals, youth development professionals, and mentoring program staff.
• Post-Secondary & Workforce Pathways - College access providers, workforce development professionals, and mentoring partners focused on career readiness.
• Corporate & Community Engagement - Business leaders, HR professionals, small business owners, funders, and cross-sector partners.

2025 Event Sponsors

Sponsorship opportunities are available! Please contact Jo at Jo@gppct.org for more information.

Please Read Important Information Before You Register

The conference fee is $99. This includes all conference activities, lunch, and snacks throughout the day, and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available.

Contact Jo Hawke - Jo@GPPCT.org with any questions.

This conference is a collaborative initiative by MENTOR Connecticut led by The Governor’s Prevention Partnership (GPP) and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services.