- Our mentors are true heroes. In the midst of ever-shifting schedules, our mentors have remained faithful and flexible to continue meeting with students within the reality of the moment.
- Students are tired and cautious…but happy to be back on campus (but let’s be honest, probably more for friends than classes!) Our staff is working diligently to provide the best setting for learning, while considering the importance of health and safety.
- We made a new match with their first meeting on the day of the online threat. Martin, a 9th grader, met with his mentor Edward, over Zoom. Edward is one of our longest-tenured mentors; his most recent student just graduated this past June. Martin is a quiet student and someone who could easily get lost in the crowd. He was very patient with we two “old men” (myself and Edward) as we worked out some Zoom technical bugs. After their session, Edward texted that it “went very well.”
- Ninth grader Angela and her mentor Casey were transitioning from Middle to High School when their meetings were continually delayed, postponed, or rescheduled due to pandemic health concerns and the impact of the recent flood. Angela and her family were hit hard by the flood and are currently in temporary housing. On December 16, the day before their holiday break, Angela and Casey were finally able to connect (virtually) for the first time since June.
- December Focus:
- Zoom matches and meetings (with the hope they’ll be able to return to campus soon)!
- One new match to begin virtually.
- Looking ahead:
- We hope for a return to on-campus meetings
- We will continue with virtual meetings to support special circumstances
- We look forward to recruiting and processing new mentor matches