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A table of happy mentors enjoyed breakfast and were shown appreciation for the volunteer work they do with area students.
When a business or group expresses an interest in serving our students Epley says they will do the training at a location convenient to that group. Jeanette Bosgra, who works with Rutherford County, has long mentored at Rutherfordton Elementary, as has Edna Michael, two special volunteers who “Stuck with Us” through the transitions. Matt Bailey, Chery Smith, Tammy Stott and Shelley Turner of the State Employees Credit Union, all mentored over several years. The State Employees Credit Union has consistently encouraged their employees to support our students through CISRC and continue to do so. And, there are others who come back smiling and ready for the students. “It’s all about relationship,” said Karen Moore, when discussing her experience this year as a mentor. “I had served on Boards and had contact with the schools, but it has been eye opening to be on campus and see all the things our teachers do over and above their teaching responsibilities. Being with my mentee is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. When you see a child’s face light up because you are there and hear their excitement when telling you what they’ve accomplished, there is no way to explain the feeling.”
In addition to Moore, other Board members of CISRC serve as Mentors. Brenda Watson works with the Economic Development Commission and takes her lunch at 8:00AM on the days she mentors, she was with one student for several years while in elementary and now goes once a month to have lunch and continue their relationship. She is again working with an elementary student on a weekly basis. Mike Saunders is just beginning and Mike Tanner has long served as a mentor. Tanner was first at Rutherfordton Elementary and is now at RS Middle, he like all of our volunteers tell you they get back much more than they give.
This school year has been exciting for CISRC on many levels. Contributing to the growth of our mentoring program has been the addition of 4 new site coordinators bringing our total to 5. Eaton Corporation made the expansion to our second site possible through their community grant, that in concert with the Ribbon of Hope really helped. In December CISRC was awarded a Mentoring Grant through Communities In Schools of North Carolina. This allowed us to bring, Arnette Tolhurst, who had been volunteering with CISRC in as the Mentor Manager and enabled us to host Tuesday’s event. As Epley continues to solicit new volunteers and supporters, Tolhurst will be charged with day to day interface with the site coordinators, Guidance Counselors and volunteers to see things are going smoothly and to follow up on new volunteer leads.
Communities In Schools of Rutherford County’s mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Drop out prevention, yes that is the bottom line of our mission but what we seek to achieve is so much more. As students gain a vision for what their lives can become and the value of their education, we all benefit one student at a time. Thank you volunteers for “Sticking with Us”.
