Instructor honoured as Mentor of the Year
11/7/2007 3:46:13 PM
Paul Chafe of Grand Falls-Windsor recently received the distinction of being named Youth Ventures Mentor of the Year.
Chafe, an instructor of College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) business management program, has been involved with Youth Ventures for the past three years.
The provincial award sees Youth Ventures give a plaque and monetary award to the winner. This is the third year that Youth Ventures has recognized the efforts of a mentor, but was the 10th year that the outstanding work of entrepreneurs has been recognized.
As business management instructor with the Small Business Development Centre of CNA, Chafe says he is in a position to help youth in all business aspects.
“This annual award from Youth Ventures recognizes the work a mentor does with a youth in the creation and development of their business or social enterprise,” explains Chafe.
He says he originally got involved with the organization to pass on his knowledge to those who could benefit from it.
“I knew Youth Ventures existed and just found a way to let them know I was interested in helping. I believe I have a responsibility to pass on whatever knowledge and skills I have, and this is one avenue to do that.”
But he says he gains so much from the youth as well.
“Working with youth also keeps me invigorated – I feed off their energy.”
Chafe was nominated by Sarah Kelly, the Youth Ventures coordinator for Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC) Central in Grand Falls-Windsor, who attends CNA’s Grand Falls-Windsor campus as a business student.
Chafe also received the nomination from the youth he mentored – Scott Oldford – who started Essential Coding Inc, a web development company. Oldford took home both the Technology Award and Venture of the Year Award during the awards ceremony which was held in St. John’s.
“He’s there whenever I need him,” says Oldford of Chafe’s involvement as mentor. “And he helps with so much that I never knew, my parents never know and likely would still not know.”
Meanwhile, Kelly adds that she nominated Chafe as a Mentor of the Year, not only because of his involvement with Oldford but because he acted as mentor to her, as well other participants, to better their experience.
“Paul was chosen as Mentor of the Year because of how much assistance he provided to not only the entrepreneur, but also the Coordinator, Sara, for CBDC Central,” adds Roseanne Leonard, Managing Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Association of CBDCs.
“He helped both learn about the ins and outs of doing business abroad and provided support to them whenever they needed it.”
But Chafe is very humble about the win.
“It feels good to have external acknowledgement that your efforts are successful and appreciated,” says Chafe. “But it’s not why I do it. I like helping them succeed and I will most definitely continue to be involved with Youth Ventures in the future. I look forward to continue working with Scott to develop his business even further.”
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For more information contact:
Glenda McCarthy
Public Relations Assistant
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-6408
glenda.mccarthy@cna.nl.ca