Mentors matter

America's Promise program is helping

Pizza and game machines drew the attention of the children, alternating between chatting with their mentors and playing with schoolmates.

The recent party at Celebration Station provided a special setting for the students from Green Magnet Math and Science Academy, an elementary school in East Knoxville.

The school-based mentoring program is sponsored by America's Promise, a national initiative focused on improving academic performance through various means,

Other Knox County schools with such mentoring programs include Austin-East Performing Arts Magnet High School, Vine Middle Magnet Academy Sarah Moore Green Magnet Elementary School and Beaumont Magnet Elementary School.

When Vivian Williams - a former Promise Fellow at Green who now serves as the school's campus manager for Project Grad - applied for the America's Promise grant, she was seeking ways to increase parental involvement and bring people from the community into local schools.

'Getting people from the community involved has awakened their senses to what these children really need' "Williams said.

Applicants receive a security check and are asked to mentor the child a minimum of one hour a week at the school.

James Ware, who retired last year from the U.S. Department of Energy, was seeking a way to use his increased leisure time by helping the community.

So he began volunteering at Beck Cultural Exchange center, where he met Williams during a reception in December. The end of January marked a full month for his mentoring relationship with 5-year-old Deyvon Stewart.

"I knew there were a lot of things to be done in the community and felt compelled to work with the youths, the very young in hopes of influencing them before they got into their teenage Years,' said Warp, a father of seven and a grandfather of six.

There are 30 students and 30 mentors - nine men and 21 women - in the Green program.

"I just ask teachers, who alert me to the students they have who could use a big brother or a big sister," Williams said. "Some are selected because they don't have males in their life.... We have a shortage of men."

What are qualifications for would-be mentors?

"All we ask is that you have a love for children," Williams said. 'We haven't said anything about educational background - as long as you don't have a bad record with the Knoxville Police Department or any other law enforcement."

Mentors come from various age groups as well as career and ethnic backgrounds.

Green Magnets mentor corps includes University of Tennessee students, journalists, educators and clergy. It includes Linda Clark, president of the Vine Parent Teacher Student Association and program director for Knoxville's Promise; the Rev. Dr. Johnnie Skinner, senior pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church; and Aubrey Davis, who works in the Public Defender's office.

"I think it's a wonderful program," said mentor and Green Magnet second-grade teacher Amanda Ayers as student Ashley Livingston started playing a new arcade game. 'The children really enjoy the one-on-one with adults."

Williams shared how such relationships have helped quiet and withdrawn children. She cited a partnership between Tracey Farr and Green Magnet student Sandra Wardrep.

"Tracey has been mentoring Sandra for two years, and one of Sandra's teachers wrote me a letter about how much Tracy has made a difference to Sandra, who tells others that she has someone who makes trips to the school to see her."

As Deyvon playfully grabbed a bag of game tokens from his hand, Ware said, "So far, it's rewarding. What I have learned, the children appreciate the fact you're there. ... You may get into a mindset, thinking that you always have to bring books, toys or something else to give them, but what they want is your time.

For information or to volunteer, call Williams at 694-1500.