Mentor Monday: The Testimonial
I care about these kids.
Not too many people can say they have taken ten months of their life and dedicated it to service. Even fewer still have worked in middle schools, and struggling ones at that. It’s sad, really. Every story, every quote I’ve shared is pure, unadulterated truth. Sometimes, I just don’t know what to say. Try as I may to sympathize, my background just isn’t the same. A son of two Ph.Ds, living in small town Wisconsin for the majority of my life, I was a sheltered kid. When I first moved to Providence four and a half years ago, I was afraid to ride the city bus. Now, I am surrounded every day by kids who live in real poverty; they don’t get breakfast at home, all their clothing and backpacks are ragged hand-me-downs. Many have divorced parents, or parents who simply walked out.
Just five months ago, I never imagined doing this; I was ready to head off to college, leave my worries behind. But a combination of increasing financial concerns and growing self-doubt about my maturity saw me cancel my deposit to the University of Pittsburgh. When I first applied to City Year, I saw it primarily as an opportunity to strengthen my resume and earn some money for college. Little did I know, my life was about to take a dramatic turn for the better.
Today, I couldn’t imagine my life any other way. My co-workers are fantastic friends, and I am no longer the lazy, cynical person I was not so very long ago. Most of all, I honestly believe that I have already started to make a difference in the lives of not just one, but many middle schoolers at my school through helping in a classroom, giving kids extra support in English and giving them my undivided attention from the minute they walk into school until the minute they finish their after school program.
I may only be 450 of 1700 hours in, but I feel like a completely transformed person. Not too many people have the same privilege I have; to find something so incredibly right for them. If I believed in miracles, this would surely qualify. It may be an uphill battle, and I am not sure exactly what part I will play in the future, but consider me officially sworn to end the war on the dropout crisis and save our public schools.
I am thankful every day.
by: Belamy B-B.
