MOULTRIE, Ga. — Moultrie Junior Women’s Club recently announced the May Mentor of the Month: Lana Gaston.

Gaston spent many years as a paraprofessional with special needs children at Sunset Elementary School, the club said in a press release. She is a mother and grandmother.

Gaston is a mentor at Pathways school and has mentored many students over the last 10-plus years.

“She is a wonderful light to our community,” the club said. “She spoke so highly of the mentor program and the joys it brings to her life. Many people feel that a mentor is there for a child, to brighten their week, which is true, but in many cases it works in the same way for a mentor. She expressed … how much each one of the students meant to her and how each one has touched her life. She bragged about the teachers at Pathways and how they are always accomodating to her and make time for a mentor and student because they understand what a benefit it is for these students. While with her students she likes to help them with their school work, play games, and learn about their families.”

Gaston stated, “We just don’t know what a child is dealing with in their home life. We can make a positive difference when we are with them.”

The YMCA mentoring program is a school-based mentoring program. To find out more about mentoring, contact Sarah Adams, mentoring director, at 985-1154 or sadams@moultrieymca.org.