Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Ohio honored the mentors who make its work possible during an appreciation event Thursday night.

A local mentoring organization has launched a new partnership aimed at reaching more at-risk youth in the community.

Shelley Ferguson, director of Lima City Life Rally Point, said, “When you have kids out there who are thinking they're all in this by themselves, they don't have anybody in their court to back them up. They're lonely, they're afraid. They do not have that foundational support. So it's very important that kids know that, hey, we are rallying around you as a community. You can lean on us for support, and we are there to love you and to support you in the things that you need.”