The woman who took an idea to match Clarke County students with influential adult mentors and persuaded members of the community to volunteer is stepping down after 20 years on the job.

Trudy Bradley, the founding program director of the Clarke County Mentoring program, announced earlier this month she plans to move out of the state to be closer to her family. Her last day on the job was Friday.

Bradley started the mentoring program in 1991 with a pool of 30 volunteers. Today, more than 1,100 people volunteer in the mentoring program and more than 30 other communities have used Bradley's work as a blueprint to build their own.

"She was absolutely the leader and the glue," said Ed Benson, one of Athens' first mentors. "She was the one who kept it going, and she had good boards, she had good volunteers, but she was the heartbeat."

"She really is one of those rare community assets you wish nothing but the best for, but you hate to see her leave us. It's just sort of a bittersweet thing," said Doc Eldridge, president of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mentors pledge to devote at least one hour a week for a year, and use their time with students in a variety of ways. Some meet students at school and talk or attend teacher conferences, while others take students to athletic events or even out-of-town trips.

Some mentors build such strong bonds with students that they continue to meet, talk and share advice well after the student graduates.

While it's difficult to quantify the effectiveness of the program, there are hundreds of stories about adolescents with improved behavior, better attitudes and higher grades.

"Maybe that's because they have someone who they really want to please," Bradley said. "I can't figure out what the reason is. I think that one-on-one, personal contact is so important. We know that everyone needs a mentor in some way."

Bradley and her husband are moving near Raleigh, N.C., to be closer to family, she said. And while she is looking forward to the next stage in her life, she'll miss her work in Athens, she said.

"This has just been such a part of my life," Bradley said. It's hard for me to leave. It's the best thing I've ever done in my whole entire life - I just wish everyone in their lifetime could have a job as enjoyable and fulfilling as this job has been for me."