Mentoring

“WooSox Mentors” Meet Children Today at Worcester’s Gates Lane Elementary School

March 4, 2022

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

Club partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Massachusetts and Worcester Public Schools to introduce latest community initiative.

WORCESTER, MA – The Worcester Red Sox have partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Massachusetts and the Worcester Public Schools to create the “WooSox Mentors” program with children at Gates Lane Elementary School at 1238 Main Street.

The program, launched today, includes 14 WooSox Front Office members who will mentor students once a week through the school year, continuing throughout the students’ rise through the Worcester Public Schools.

“So many of us are beneficiaries of impactful mentors, and so many of us have enjoyed serving as mentors to young people,” said WooSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. “We recognize and realize that a regular visit with a smile, a kind hand, and a reassuring word can help fortify the self-esteem of a child—and what an honor it is to be able to do so.”

The school counts among its alumni the City Manager of Worcester.

“Not only do I have a soft spot for Gates Lane, where I attended elementary school, I know the value a program like this can have in the development of a young person,” said City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. “As someone who has benefited a lot from mentors, I am grateful our new neighbors, the Worcester Red Sox, are investing their time into becoming part of the fabric of our community and contributing to the growth and success of our youngest residents.”

“It’s great to see Front Office members from the WooSox making time for students in the Worcester Public Schools with baseball season right around the corner,” said Worcester Mayor Joe Petty. “I’d like to also thank Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass, and the entire staff at Gates Lane Elementary for helping make this exciting partnership possible. These students are going to benefit tremendously from the mentorship and guidance from leaders in the WooSox organization.”

“Thank you to the WooSox for their consistent and amazing support for Worcester Public School students,” said Worcester Superintendent Maureen Binienda. “The mentoring program with Gates Lane Elementary will make another positive difference in the lives of our students.”

“This is the story of everyday heroes! It is extra sweet that as much as kids look up to sports figures, this team and its Front Office members are saying ‘Yes’ to being a part of the lives of our Littles,” said Connie Ash, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Massachusetts. “Everyone at Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Mass – our staff, our board and our volunteers – are wowed and humbled by the WooSox’ commitment to our community, and to each and every one of these children.”

“The WooSox enjoy demonstrating that we’re more than just a baseball team, and this mentoring partnership is another shining example of that,” said WooSox Vice President of Baseball Operations & Community Relations Joe Bradlee. “We’re all looking forward to building relationships with the students at Gates Lane Elementary with whom we’ve been matched, and we give our sincerest thanks to all who have helped get this impactful program off the ground.”

Founded in 1963, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass has supported children in the community through individualized mentoring programs for over 50 years. The organization connects with children through strategic partnerships with local schools and youth development programs, along with the support of community volunteers, many of whom come from local colleges and corporations like the WooSox.

MBF Spotlight: The ROCK Center for Youth Development

December 22, 2014

Creating new, positive path for area youths at core of mission

For the staff of The ROCK Center For Youth Development, creating a new, positive path for area youths isn’t just an idea. It’s at the very core of everything they do.

The ROCK, based in Midland, is a teen-focused organization that helps youth succeed and thrive. Its mission is to provide every youth with unconditional love, support, respect, a safe environment, guidance and a model of healthy behavior.

And it works.

In a recent evaluation by The Legacy Center for Community Success, teens involved in The ROCK’s Exposure program scored higher in all developmental asset categories while the program curriculum positively impacts participants.

“If we can get young people to truly desire something positive, then that makes everyone’s job easier – parents, teachers … everyone involved with their lives,” said Beverlee Wenzel, ROCK’s executive director.

“Once a person is on fire for something, they’re going to succeed.”

In a season of giving, while also spotlighting non-profit organizations in the Great Lakes Bay Region, The ROCK (Reaching Our Community’s Kids) has provided solid ground for local teens looking to build life skills, gain confidence and make healthy life choices.

The Michigan Baseball Foundation has recognized The ROCK’s efforts by rewarding them with three grants over the years: In 2008, MBF provided $4,000 toward the purchase of The ROCK’s mobile rock climbing wall; in 2011 it provided $2,500 for playground equipment, and in 2013 $1,580 was given for a portable sound system of sporting events.

“The rock climbing wall is a big part of our ‘Unplugged’ program,” said Wenzel. “It’s used for larger events in the community that we’re a part of, plus it’s just a great symbol for what we are.”

The ROCK was established in 2001 as an independent, grass-roots program located at 2300 E. Gordonville Rd. Bullock Creek Schools bused students to the facility, and the program provided after school and Friday and Saturday night activities.

Since then, the program has expanded widely, encompassing several local schools, establishing a new base at the Midland Community Center, while also providing programs for juvenile care and detention centers.

It’s open to any teen.

“We do well with at-risk kids but we target all kids,” said Wenzel. “We serve all socio-economic groups.”

The ROCK offers three umbrella programs: ROCK Exposure, ROCK Grounded and ROCK Unplugged. The group employs several full-time “coaches”, or mentors, who work with teens in a variety of settings and activities.

The Exposure program includes ROCK-authored curriculum focused on developing life skills and character. Within Exposure are four unique programs: Drive, Perform, Build and Accelerate. Courses, which are taught by ROCK staff members, include character development, decision-making, conflict resolution, independent living, resource and finance management, trades or college, and employment.

“It’s highly activity-based,” said Wenzel. “If I stand up there and say (to a teen), ‘You need to do this,’ it’s not nearly as effective as them experiencing it. Once you experience something you really can’t un-experience it.”

Current venues and classrooms for the Exposure program include Meridian High School, Coleman 7-12 school, Bullock Creek High School and Middle Schools, Midland High, Midland Dow High, Jefferson and Northeast Middle Schools, the Academic and Career Education Academy and the Juvenile Care Center.

In 2014, Midland Public Schools approved Exposure as curriculum and it is provided in the classroom to all freshmen.

The ROCK Grounded program provides after school mentorship, tutoring, food and activities at Northeast, Jefferson, and the ROCK Underground at the Midland Community Center. In fact, The ROCK has taken over all of the after school non-athletic teen activities at the MCC.

Part of the Grounded program’s mission is to provide a safe place for students who might otherwise go home to an empty house. Its mentors/coaches fill a need for positive role models many teens don’t have.

“With teens, you have to provide something safe enough that the parents trust, but you also have to have programs that are relevant to the teen,” said Wenzel.

Another consistent lesson in ROCK programs, says Wenzel, is perseverance.

“One of the things we teach is grit,” said Wenzel. “There are always going to be tough times in anyone’s life, but you have still have to find a way to get up and face another day. The tough times will pass, but you have to learn how to endure them in a positive way.”

ROCK’s Unplugged program provides community-based summer activities that encourage healthy life choices and relationship. Its activities include the climbing wall, an annual Battle of the Bands, the Midland County youth fishing program, and teen pool parties.

“The Rock Wall was really the start of that program in many ways,” Wenzel said. “We wanted something unique to take to events, and we felt it was also a universal symbol for what we’re about.”

To contact The ROCK’s offices, call (989) 835-2542. Information can also be found on its website, www.therockc4yd.org.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Great Lakes Loons. Click here to view the original story.

Gwinnett Braves Announce June Grant Recipient

August 5, 2014

Lindsay’s Legacy Mentoring, Inc. receives $1,000 monthly grant

The Gwinnett Braves have announced the recipient of their $1,000 grant for the month of June. Lindsay’s Legacy Mentoring, Inc. has been awarded June’s “Summer Safety” themed grant, aimed at assisting organizations that fund or run safety programs for children.

Lindsay’s Legacy Mentoring began serving students in Jackson County schools in 2005 under the direction of Jackson County Family Connection. In March of 2013, LLM branched out and became a youth-serving non-profit organization dedicated to friendship-based mentoring throughout Jackson County.

The goal of LLM is to guide children and youth toward personal and academic success through mentoring and friendship. The grant money awarded by the G-Braves will be used for mentor training, informational brochures and activity supplies in hopes to continue the ongoing growth of the program.

“We accomplish our mission by pairing volunteers who are positive adult role models with carefully selected students in need of a mentoring relationship,” said Lisa Stephens, Executive Director of Lindsay’s Legacy Mentoring. “Lindsay’s Legacy Mentoring uses an effective friendship-based mentoring model and partners closely with three school systems in Jackson County, GA. Through training, screening and follow up, mentors are able to identify the needs of students they serve. Since the humble beginning in 2005 by a handful of caring citizens, Lindsay’s Legacy mentors have impacted the lives of thousands of students in Jackson County. The program provides a safety net that would otherwise not be available to some very deserving students.”

About Lindsay’s Legacy Mentoring: The organization has been around for over nine years and is based in Jackson County, GA. LLM has served over 130 students in the Jackson County, 38 students in Jefferson City and 32 students in the Commerce City school systems with caring adult mentorship. The program continues to grow under the principles of former mentor coordinator Jack Lindsay. For more information about the program, please contact LLM Executive Director Lisa Stephens at lisa@lindsaylegacymentoring.org.

For more information on the Gwinnett Braves Grant Program, including details on how your organization can apply, call Community Relations Trainee Alison Atkins at 678-277-0313 or email Alison.Atkins@braves.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Gwinnett Braves. Click here to view the original story.

Gwinnett Braves Award August Grant to Family Connection and Communities in Schools of Barrow County

October 9, 2013

“Back to School” themed grant will help fund the organization’s “Back to School Bash”

The Gwinnett Braves have awarded their $1,000 grant for the month of August to Family Connection and Communities in Schools of Barrow County. The “Back to School” themed grant is aimed at benefiting organizations that support education or after-school mentoring.

Family Connection and Communities in Schools of Barrow County strives to improve the quality of life for children and families in Barrow County by fostering collaboration at the local and state levels to ultimately bring into focus their vision for all kids to be healthy, ready to start school and succeed when they get there, and for their families to be stable and self-sufficient.

The grant awarded by the Gwinnett Braves will help fund the organization’s “Back to School Bash,” a program that will distribute over 400 book bags, pens, pencils and notebooks to school-aged children in Barrow County.

“With programs that focus on youth peer-to-peer leadership, healthy decision making and breaking down barriers that keep students from coming to school and learning, we feel we are making a difference in our future leaders,” said Meg Loggins, Executive Director of Family Connection and Communities in Schools of Barrow County.

The original story appeared on the Gwinnett braves’ website and can be viewed by clicking here.

Efren Navarro Visits With Youth

May 29, 2012

Efren Navarro knows what it is like to want to give up, but more importantly, he knows what it takes to keep going.

On Monday morning, Navarro visited with youth in the Observation and Assessment program of Utah’s Juvenile Justice Services in South Salt Lake City. He offered insight into what it is like to play professional baseball, to live out a dream and what it takes to make it happen.

“Now is an important time in your lives. You are figuring out who you are and deciding what you want to be. You don’t want to live your life with regrets,” Navarro stressed. “Work hard to achieve your dreams and don’t give up.”

Navarro also emphasized the importance of education. He shared stories of when he was in high school and not taking school as seriously as he should have. But too many people believed in him and would not let him give up so easily.

He told them that changes don’t just happen overnight even once you decide you want to make that change. It can be hard and frustrating. His advice, “keep working. And don’t give up.”
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Salt Lake Bees. Click here to view the original story.

McAnulty and Conger Meet With Utah’s JJS

April 19, 2012

Hank Conger knows about challenges.

The 24-year-old Salt Lake Bees catcher was drafted out of Huntington Beach, Calif., in the first round of the 2006 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Conger went from being an 18-year-old kid still living at home to being a professional baseball player out on his own within one month’s time.

Thursday, Conger spent part of his morning talking to a group at the Wasatch Youth Center in South Salt Lake about the difficult times he has encountered in professional baseball. Conger also answered questions from the crowd of around 40 youth about topics ranging from how he hits a baseball that comes at him so quickly to how he interacts with his teammates after a win.

“One of the biggest things I’ve learned as far as myself and my actions that I display is that I respect myself and, at the same time, I respect the team, the Bees, the Angels,” said Conger. “You look at yourself and respect yourself first. You tend to make better decisions in your life when you do that.”

Bees infielder/designated hitter Paul McAnulty met Wednesday morning with a group of youth at the Decker Lake Youth Center in West Valley City.

McAnulty talked about choices and how they lead you to where you are. He told the group about his choices, especially those he made earlier in his life, and how they have helped him achieve his dream of playing professional baseball.

“Choices lead you to where you are today. Some people might say it was your situation or your circumstance, but I believe you were in that situation or circumstance because of your choices,” said the Oxnard, Calif. native.

McAnulty continued with a reminder, “Don’t let other people tell you that you can’t do something. You can do or be whatever you want.”

The Bees are in the fifth year of the team’s mentoring program with Utah’s Juvenile Justice Services (JJS). The program includes player visits to facilities as well as inviting JJS groups to the ballpark for a player-given tour and tickets to a Bees game.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Salt Lake Bees. Click here to view the original story.

Foster Children’s Foundation receives Gwinnett Braves January Grant

February 3, 2011

Team’s grant will help deliver the Tomorrow Matters® mentoring program to foster children in North Georgia.

The Gwinnett Braves announced today that the Foster Children’s Foundation is the recipient of the Gwinnett Braves January grant. The $1,000 grant will be used to support the organization’s Tomorrow Matters® mentoring program.

According to Suzanne Geske, Executive Director, “the children we serve come from negative backgrounds and often believe that following their dreams will only lead to disappointment. All children deserve to hope for a better tomorrow and it begins with a dream. The funds received from the Gwinnett Braves will help the Foster Children’s Foundation support foster and at risk youth and allow them to believe in themselves and begin a path that will lead them to a successful future and allow them to achieve their dreams.”

The Tomorrow Matters® program provides critical life skills training to youth between the ages of 14 and 21. Trained, caring mentors deliver the program to ensure that the participants have what they need to reach their potential and become self sufficient citizens.

The Foster Children’s Foundation is a 501(C) 3 non-profit support organization that provides for the unmet material and emotional needs of youth in foster care. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for children who are in foster care or are in danger of entering the foster care system by identifying the economic, environmental, educational and emotional needs and implementing ways to raise public awareness and establish programs in an effort to serve these issues.

The Gwinnett Braves operate under the Atlanta Braves Foundation and specifically focus on those organizations in Gwinnett and its surrounding counties. The Atlanta Braves Foundation is the non-profit arm of the Atlanta Braves that actively supports community organizations and their programs within the metro Atlanta area. Through the foundation, the team is dedicated to providing social, educational and scholarship opportunities for the youth in our surrounding communities in connection with the activities of the Gwinnett Braves baseball club.