Stories and News

This page is for testimonials from our local program participants, as well as recent news about our agency. Check back often to find out what's happening, or to read about some of our success stories. If you are interested in submitting a story, please contact us.

LOCAL SUCCESS STORY

Jason (not his real name) is a student at a local middle school and has been in our School Mentor Program for several months.  Jason was referred to our program because he was struggling academically and socially.  He was "withdrawn" with both teachers and peers and would often respond with either a shrug or a mumble. He had a number of "detentions."

His first meeting with his school "Big Brother" Dave was awkward and Dave found it difficult to get Jason to talk.  Once a week, Dave would come to the school and meet with Jason during the lunch hour for 45 minutes.  Before long, Jason began to open up more and more.  A few weeks later, Jason invited Dave to pose with him for Jason's school picture!  Both Dave and Jason enjoy spending their weekly 45-minute lunch time together; they normally eat lunch while playing board games or they shoot a few hoops.  It has become easy for them to talk and joke around.  For Jason, detentions are rare these days, and things are just going a lot better all the way around!  One of the side benefits that Big Brother Dave did not expect was that he, himself, would have so much fun being a school mentor.  "It's been great for me," he said, "It only takes a moment to make someone's day happier, and it makes my day happier, too."