Nancy McHarness

Nancy provides the critical backbone of labor, coordination and communication for Partners for Schools. She understands the heart beat and passion of our school leaders and teachers. “After raising our 4 kids, I know it just does not stop there.  It really takes many individuals and a community to support kids, families and schools, and I love connecting the critical dots. Every child can benefit from a caring adult mentor”

Betty Shaum Memorial

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Donate in loving memory of Betty My mom generously gave of her time and finances to support organizations that were near to her heart. Be the One was an organization she donated to regularly. My husband Denny and I founded an NPO, Partners for Schools, which created Be the One Community Mentoring Programs 9 years … Read more

Rob and Josh’s Story

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Rob and Josh’s Story: In middle school, Rob saw other students meeting with mentors and thought it looked like fun. He quickly formed a bond with his mentor, Josh. After school shut down in 2020, they couldn’t see each other for a few months. As soon as school opened this fall, Rob begged to see Josh as soon … Read more

Max and Greg’s Story

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Max and Greg’s Story: A current freshman, Max met his mentor, Greg, in middle school after his older sisters told him about Be the One.  He was hoping for an adult friend who could support him and give advice.  He and Greg enjoy playing chess, cribbage, and sometimes old school computer games together while talking.  … Read more

Helpful to let it all out.

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Issac and Corey’s Story: Issac heard about Be the One as a freshman from a friend. He admits that initially, “I thought it sounded like fun to get out of class and play games—being a typical teenage boy.” After spending 4 years with his mentor, Corey, he says: “It ended up being so needed and … Read more

Matt and Todd’s Story

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Matt and Todd’s Story: Matt has been able to work with two Be the One Mentors during high school.  As a freshman who had recently lost his mom to cancer and moved across the country to Lynden, he thought he would like to have a mentor to talk to.  He bonded with Curtis over their … Read more

Issac and Corey’s Story

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  Issac and Corey’s Story: Issac heard about Be the One as a freshman from a friend.  He admits that initially, “I thought it sounded like fun to get out of class and play games—being a typical teenage boy.”  After spending 4 years with his mentor, Corey, he says: “It ended up being so needed … Read more

Gina and Janelle’s Story:

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Gina and Janelle’s Story: Gina heard about Be the One from her older sister and requested a mentor in middle school. At the time, she was “looking for someone to talk to, a friend I could talk to about anything without a bunch of drama.” She and Janelle developed a close relationship over the past three years, … Read more

Tyler and John’s Story:

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Tyler and John’s Story: When Tyler first moved to Lynden in middle school, he was struggling with a number of things: losing friends, depression, and a dad who wasn’t around. When he first met John, it took a long time to develop trust. In fact, for the first year they mostly played Uno, and Tyler … Read more

Empowering through Problem Solving

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adapted from: Love and Logic Magic for Lasting Relationships Students Don’t Need: someone to solve their problems for them anyone enabling(reinforcing) their weaknesses “Having mother nurse our wounds and beat up our bullies was fine when we were five, maybe even six or seven, but not so good when we’re fifteen and beyond.” Students Do … Read more

October 2020 – Mentoring Minute

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Stories to Share from Our BTO Community Mentor Coordinators: Life-long Friendships It’s wonderful to hear when mentors and students develop a life-long friendship, and I heard an update from one pair recently. This student and mentor met in middle school and stayed together through her graduation in 2018. Now the young lady is attending WWU … Read more