Communities In Schools of Lakewood - A Call for Caring Adults

Last year, over eighty students—in grades 4-10—met 1:1 with a Champions Mentor. As the year ended, many teachers reported significant growth in the students who had the good fortune to meet each week with a caring adult. We currently have 20 students on a waiting list, and hope to recruit and train a mentor for each one during the month of September.

Mentors are “Champions for Children” who provide encouragement, guidance and academic incentive. Mentors and mentees meet for one hours a week, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. in a public place on the school campus. They build trusting friendships and work on school and personal goals. Studies on mentoring show consistent improvement in students’ grades, classroom behavior, and attendance. Mentors make a big difference!

Anyone with patience and a genuine concern for children and teens can become a Mentor. Mentors are a diverse group ranging from retired community members to business executives, bus drivers, young adults, anyone who is willing to put the time into being trained and being available. 

Trainings will be held at the CISL Office, 6402 100^th St. SW every two weeks. 

If you are interested in mentoring or assisting students in after-school programs please contact Dave O’Keeffe or Christina Klas at 589-7489, or email kidsandfamilies@cislakewood.org.  

___________________________________________________

Kathie and Kaylie (story below) were featured in the Tacoma News Tribune! Read the story here!

Kathie and Kayli are one of 70 mentor matches active in the Champions Mentor Program provided by Communities in Schools of Lakewood (CISL) and serving Clover Park School District schools.

When Kathie Theoe goes to Harrison Prep Academy each week, she usually has a few comics to read. That is because Kathie is a mentor to 7^th grader Kayli. Kayli has blossomed as a cartoon artist this year and Kathie is there to encourage this gift and provide feedback. Kathie and Kayli are even looking for ways to get Kayli’s comics published.  

Last school year, when Kayli expressed a love for animals, Kathie helped her develop a business plan to create a doggy day care over the summer.  This ability to build on Kayli’s gifts and encourage her dreams is what makes Kathie such an effective role model.

As a mentor through CISL, Kathie has spent an hour a week with Kayli during the last three school years.  They have forged a friendship that has enriched both of their lives. Kayli’s school attendance and attitude towards education have improved and she has another caring adult in her life she can trust. Kathie says that being a mentor keeps her young and, having raised all boys, is delighted to mentor a girl as wonderful as Kayli.

It is because of this deep friendship and commitment that Kathie and Kayli have been selected as the “Match of the Year” by Washington State Mentors. They will be honored Friday, May 21 at the Champions Of Mentoring Luncheon on the Ms. Zaandam cruise ship in Seattle.

Kathie and Kayli were nominated as Match of the Year by CISL Mentor Coordinator Doug Baxter. “because they are the reason mentoring programs exist  –  to help set goals, make good decisions, achieve success and see kids like Kayli shine!” 

For additional information on CISL’s Mentor Program, contact Doug Baxter at 589-7489.