The Moultrie Junior Woman's Club has named Art Ellis its Mentor of the Month for September.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — The Moultrie Junior Woman’s Club recently announced the September Mentor of the Month: Art Ellis.

Ellis served his country for 14 years in the Marines and 20 years in the FBI, according to a press release from the club. After retirement, he became a YMCA mentor after a church member asked him about it

Ellis’ father was also in the Marines, which meant he was absent for long periods of time while performing his duties. This allowed Ellis to sympathize with what it felt like to have a dad who was not in the home, the Junior Woman’s Club said. He felt that being a mentor would be a good idea to help those children who didn’t have a father figure at all.

In his six years working as a YMCA mentor, Ellis has had the pleasure of working with the same mentee, the club said. He started his journey at Sunset Elementary and has grown with his mentee to CCHS. Along the way he has supported a joy of reading in his mentee by sharing books that incorporate his mentee’s interest of sports. The relationship has not been one-way. While Mr. Ellis encourages his mentee in education, his mentee encourages him to try new things like zip lining.

His mentee has requested that Ellis stick with him throughout college to encourage him to meet his goals. This is what Ellis has felt is his greatest impact, encouraging his mentee to see the possibilities outside of sports through education.

To find out more about how you can become a mentor in our community, contact Jan Barrow, mentoring director, at 985-1154 or jbarrow@moultrieymca.org