Kevin has been volunteering with SSV for over 6 months, connecting with students and teachers alike.
Name: Kevin West
I am a: Library Assistant and Math Tutor Van Sickle Middle School.
I have been a Springfield School Volunteer for: 6 months.
I became a Library Assistant and Tutor because: An article I read on MassLive.com indicated Van Sickle Middle School only had a 56 percent graduation rate. I wondered, what happens to the other 44 percent? I thought I could help Van Sickle Middle School by volunteering and looked for available positions on the Springfield School Volunteers website.
By being a Library Assistant and Tutor I have learned: Children will only go as far as we take them. As an African-American male I see certain children gravitate towards me and I know my presence matters. I’ve learned that my actions and interactions with the students and teachers can have a profound and continuing effect.
My favorite thing about mentoring/tutoring is: As simple as seeing the smiles on students faces. If they’re happy, I’m happy!
“I have been participating in the Read Aloud Program for the past 10 years and had planned to make this my last year, but my experience was so heartwarming and I loved every minute of [it.] I am anxious to return next month.”
– Marjorie Hurst, Volunteer
“Thank you very much. I just wanted to say that helping in our schools has truly been a life changing event for me. I should be paying them for letting me help.”
– Don Dorn, Jr., Volunteer at Samuel Bowles School
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