A central Illinois entrepreneurship program is appealing to local business leaders to step up and mentor youth in its footprint.

The Sangamon Valley CEO program is a business program for students in the Argenta-Oreana, DeLand-Weldon, Cerro Gordo, Monticello, and Bement School districts. Facilitator Lisa Sheppard indicates the mentorship program is a vital part of the program.

The mentorship program is typical in that a business leader is paired with a student. Sheppard explains they make these matches early on in the program so that relationships can develop throughout the year.

Sheppard points out they ask mentors to meet with their students once a month, attending the trade show at the end of the year and the class business around the change in the semester time. 

Mentors are asked to be from or around the communities in the school districts of the program. 

To learn more, visit sangamonvalleyceo.com.