BAKERSFIELD, CA - For many kids, the transition from middle school to high school can be tough. Local AmeriCorps mentors are working to make that time a little easier for some students having trouble in school.
South High School freshman, Edward Renn said, "I was messing up a lot. I didn't have a great grade point average."
"I would always look so down at school and the teachers would always assume something was wrong with me," said South High freshman Miranda.
Through the Building Healthy communities AmeriCorps program," mentors, like Geo Miller, work with students to change their mentalities.
Miller said, "As a mentor, we're there to reach out to them. To be a resource to them and also to give them any type of support we can."
The program focuses on academic and behavioral support. Mentors work with students in the classroom and in the community.
"They had events like ice skating that they would take us to and other really cool events. We went to go clean up a park," said Renn.
With a little encouragement Renn starting doing better in school and improved his grade point average.
Renn said, "They came and they started helping me. I got up to a 2.89 and I stayed up there for a little while and I graduated from middle school."
Sanchez changed her attitude.
"Full of happiness I guess. That's what teachers think now," said Sanchez.
Miller says he has taken away a lot from the experience as well.
Miller said, "What I've learned is to really take a step back. A step outside of myself and to ask myself and to remind myself, why are you here. You're here for the kids. You're here to support them."
The building healthy communities program is looking for local mentors. The deadline to apply is Monday. Click on the hotlink icon for more info.
South High School freshman, Edward Renn said, "I was messing up a lot. I didn't have a great grade point average."
"I would always look so down at school and the teachers would always assume something was wrong with me," said South High freshman Miranda.
Through the Building Healthy communities AmeriCorps program," mentors, like Geo Miller, work with students to change their mentalities.
Miller said, "As a mentor, we're there to reach out to them. To be a resource to them and also to give them any type of support we can."
The program focuses on academic and behavioral support. Mentors work with students in the classroom and in the community.
"They had events like ice skating that they would take us to and other really cool events. We went to go clean up a park," said Renn.
With a little encouragement Renn starting doing better in school and improved his grade point average.
Renn said, "They came and they started helping me. I got up to a 2.89 and I stayed up there for a little while and I graduated from middle school."
Sanchez changed her attitude.
"Full of happiness I guess. That's what teachers think now," said Sanchez.
Miller says he has taken away a lot from the experience as well.
Miller said, "What I've learned is to really take a step back. A step outside of myself and to ask myself and to remind myself, why are you here. You're here for the kids. You're here to support them."
The building healthy communities program is looking for local mentors. The deadline to apply is Monday. Click on the hotlink icon for more info.
