Mentor-Mentee Bowling Outing Strikes Gold!

Community Resource Coordinators Beverly Mack and Kerry Jabour planned an entertaining gathering for Boys Hope Girls Hope's mentors and their mentee scholars. In honor of Join Hands Day, Beverly and Kerry felt it was necessary to bring together the mentors and mentees through a group outing, the first since Boys Hope Girls Hope's mentoring program launched three years ago. They found that bowling was the best way to do it.

The purpose of the occasion, held at Crossgate Lanes in Blue Ash, was to provide a social event for the mentors in order for them to connect with each other and know that they have support from all involved in the mentoring program. For many volunteer administrators like Beverly and Kerry, it is difficult to retain mentors if there is no support system in place. With the help of Sister Melanie Bair, Developmental Director, Boys Hope Girls Hope was able to receive a mentoring grant from TEMA-Toyota. These funds will provide more opportunities for group outings, such as the bowling event, as well as special trainings and support meetings for the mentors.

Mentors Bob and Becky Nordloh (Jamal), Bill Newbold (Dylan), Rebecca Brown (Khalia), Kevin Austin (Shahid), and Kevin Seagraves (Sam) enjoyed hitting the lanes while trying to avoid that dreadful gutter ball! Tricia Wood, Girls Hope-Upland Residential Counselor said, "A great big kudos to Kerry and Beverly for a great time at the bowling party. Everyone I saw was having an awesome time. There were a lot of smiles. In general, the food and fun were better than the bowling scores, but it was a wonderful time!"

Tutors Recognized During National Volunteer Week

National Volunteer Week gives organizations an opportunity to honor their hardworking volunteers. We recognized our community and General Electric (GE) tutors during that week on Friday, May 2nd by hosting a tutor appreciation cookout.

Several tutors from GE's Aviation, RPCOE, and Military Engines Life Management departments, as well as community volunteer tutor Becky Nordloh, celebrated their hard work a dedication for the 2007-2008 school year with the scholars and staff. As a result of their academic support, our overall affiliate grade point average is a 3.0. In addition, the fifteen GE tutors accumulated more than 1000 hours in one year at Boys Hope Girls Hope, earning them the prominent Presidential Volunteer Service Award (gold level). A special presidential pin was awarded to Janet Morison of GE.

Janet is instrumental by being the main GE tutor contact for BHGH. She recruits tutors for the program as well as coordinates all efforts between the two organizations. Not only do GE employees tutor, they also take part in house and ground maintenance each year such as painting, pulling weeds, and raking leaves. We appreciate Janet's continuing efforts to strengthen the relationship between GE and BHGH.

When asked why they enjoy tutoring so much, some tutors said that it is because of the determination of the scholars and the support from the organization. "There are great students at Boys Hope [Girls Hope] and the Residential Counselors are great too. I also appreciate that Scott [R.C. at North Bend] would call each week to confirm the date and time that I'll be tutoring each week," said Gary Wendt on his two-year tutoring experience at BHGH.

Furthermore, the rewarding relationship between the tutors and the scholars makes the commitment more than just a volunteer position. Dave Schwartz, Carlos' tutor said, "I don't think of BHGH as just volunteering...I tutor because I am committed to the success of Carlos in whatever he wants to accomplish in life." Dave adds, "I know that my being there expresses the message that Carlos is important and that his success in school makes a difference. I want that to be the kind of message that he never gets over." Tutor Sean Woock stated, "Each of the scholars I have tutored this past year have shown a willingness to learn and contribute to society. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help them."

Congratulations community and GE tutors for a successful end to an intense school year!