#47 - Collateral Hope: Dena Petty and Mentors Care

What this episode covers

Strong communities are built one life at a time, and at the center of every strong community are its kids. Episode 47 features Dena Petty, Founder and Director of Mentors Care, in conversation with host and Retired Police Chief James Groom. This episode explores how structured mentoring programs create measurable impact for at-risk students and strengthen schools, cities, and entire communities. Episode Summary Founded in Midlothian, Texas in 2009, Mentors Care connects students with consistent, caring adult mentors inside public high schools. What began as Dena Petty’s deeply personal journey through adversity has grown into a structured mentoring model now serving 23 high schools with documented outcomes. In this conversation, Dena shares how her childhood shaped the mission behind Mentors Care, why mentoring must be intentional and organized to succeed, and how measurable results demonstrate long-term community impact. Among students with a history of disciplinary referrals, 63 percent improved their behavior while in the program. Attendance rates have improved across participating campuses, and thousands of student outcries have been identified and addressed through consistent adult relationships. Key Topics Discussed • Mentoring at-risk students• Reducing disciplinary referrals and improving attendance• Community impact and workforce development• Why structured mentoring programs succeed• Mentoring inside public schools• Internal mentoring programs for employee retention and leadership development• The long-term economic and public safety impact of investing in youth About the Book and Launch Event Dena Petty’s new book, Collateral Hope, shares the deeply personal story behind Mentors Care and the adversity that shaped her mission. Through honest reflection and lived experience, the book highlights how resilience, faith, and the presence of caring mentors can alter the trajectory of a life. The official book launch event will take place: Thursday, March 12, 20264:30 PM to 6:30 PMAuthor Reading at 6:00 PM Wilson’s Seafood & Grill322 E Avenue FMidlothian, Texas Purchase Collateral Hope on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GQGLN7QY Community Impact Mentors Care serves students facing a wide range of at-risk indicators, including behavioral challenges, home instability, anxiety, depression, food insecurity, and exposure to criminal environments. The program’s intentional, campus-based structure ensures that mentors meet weekly with students during the school day, creating consistency, accountability, and safety. For superintendents, school board members, city leaders, and community partners, this episode provides a clear example of how mentoring strengthens not just individual students, but entire communities. Learn More Mentors Carehttps://www.mentors.care Dena Pettyhttps://www.denapetty.com Wilson’s Seafood & Grill, Midlothian Texashttps://wilsonsseafood.com 00:00 Mentoring and Strong Communities09:35 Dena Petty’s Story and the Birth of Mentors Care18:40 How Mentoring Works Inside Public Schools27:04 Measurable Results and Student Success33:50 The Book and Community Impact36:45 How to Get Involved with Mentors Care The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local governme

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