Saturday, October 8, 2011
Intergeneration Week: An Interview with Bill Wolff
This video is the final post featured in our week-long series for “Intergeneration Week”.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Intergeneration Week: Day 6
This photo is the sixth of seven posts that will be featured in our week-long series for “Intergeneration Week”.
Three of our wonderful Experience Corps members: Edna Little, Ruth Villard and Michel Idiokitas
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Intergeneration Week: Day 3
This photo is the third of seven posts that will be featured in our week-long series for “Intergeneration Week”
Experience Corps member Rose Napolitano reads with a student at Garfield Elementary School in Revere, MA.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Intergeneration Week: An Interview with Hattie West
This video is the second of seven posts that will be featured in our week-long series for “Intergeneration Week”
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Intergeneration Week: Ms. Ruth’s Story
This story is the first of seven posts that will be featured in our week-long series for “Intergeneration Week”
As the Site Team Leader at the Yawkey Boys & Girls Club, one of my responsibilities is to observe how our volunteers manage the Reading Coaches sessions they have with children. I remember the first time Jason came into our reading room 3 years ago. He had his head down and a big frown on his face. He was very standoffish and it was clear that he had no intentions of reading with us, but when we paired him with Ms. Frankie Robinson we saw a real change.
When Ms. Frankie sees a child who can be a challenge to work with she only sees his potential. She’s a figure whose quiet reserve makes her a balancing force and respected member of our team at the Yawkey. Ms. Frankie sat down with Jason and told him the importance of keeping his head held high, having confidence in his ability, and being polite when he came into the reading room. That year, every member of the team saw a big change in his attitude and willingness to read.
Ms. Frankie and Jason built a strong connection based on mutual respect and trust. Through this relationship Jason completely transformed! He would come in with his head held high, a big smile, and ready to read. He came to realize that he actually enjoyed reading! All through the first year the reading sessions, Ms. Frankie would come and show me what Jason had done and tell me that he was ready for more challenging books. I think one reason their partnership is so successful is because she would ask all of our team members to offer words of encouragement to Jason. Ms. Frankie also made it a point to reach out to Jason’s aunt because she knows how important it is for children to have family support and encouragement. His aunt would actively participate in conversations about Jason’s progress and even came in to watch one of his Reading Coaches sessions. Ms. Frankie not only helped Jason feel proud but she helped instill in him confidence to read.
Ms. Ruth is the Site Team Leader at the Yawkey Boys and Girls Club. She has been serving children through our programs for almost 7 years.
Monday, July 25, 2011
In Memory of Donna Chapman 1946-2011
Donna Chapman and Kiana Hightower smile during a Reading Coaches session at Whelan Elementary School in Revere, MA.
Donna Chapman wore her name-tag with pride. Showcasing her dedication to her students and the program, this green lanyard, lovingly adorned with stickers from her students, was never absent from her neck at the Whelan School. In one instance, she told a program associate that putting on her name-tag was the best part of her day. Since November of 2008 Donna has been an integral part of our Revere program, setting the bar for our Experience Corps Members with her constant smile and clear passion for working with her students, even when illness prevented her from serving.
In rain, snow, sleet, or shine Donna unfailingly arrived for the earliest Reading Coaches sessions, pulling up to the Whelan School in her yellow Volkswagen Bug, a vehicle which reflected her upbeat and cheerful personality. She was always willing to help with any extra tasks at her site, from cleaning the room to welcoming new volunteers. But Donna’s passion and dedication truly shone when she worked with her students. She would always go above and beyond to help her students succeed, no matter how challenging they might be. In one instance, Donna offered to work as a Reading Coach for a reserved first grader who was just beginning to learn English as a second language. However, through Donna’s compassion this student slowly learned to feel comfortable and grew in her literacy skills by leaps and bounds. Although Donna was not able to return as an ECM this past year due to illness, she longed to come back to read with just this one student. While undergoing treatment for her illness, Donna continuously expressed how much she missed the students who decorated her name-tag. Her students and team avidly returned the sentiment.
Donna is missed dearly by her family and all of her fellow Experience Corps Members, staff, and students. I know I think of her whenever I see a yellow bug.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Photo of the Week: June 23, 2011
Experience Corps Members at the Dever Elementary School in Dorchester
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Photo of the Week: June 16, 2011
AmeriCorps Program Associate Alana Hill and Experience Corps Member Marilyn Miles at the Kenny Elementary School
