#47 - Collateral Hope: Dena Petty and Mentors Care

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, 2026 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM Author Reading at 6:00 PM

Wilson’s Seafood & Grill 322 E Avenue F Midlothian, Texas

Purchase Collateral Hope on Amazon: https://www.mentors.care

Dena Petty https://www.denapetty.com

Wilson’s Seafood & Grill, Midlothian Texas https://wilsonsseafood.com

00:00 Mentoring and Strong Communities 09:35 Dena Petty’s Story and the Birth of Mentors Care 18:40 How Mentoring Works Inside Public Schools 27:04 Measurable Results and Student Success 33:50 The Book and Community Impact 36:45 How to Get Involved with Mentors Care

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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 government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership.

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