Submitted Press Release
Nassau Boys and Girls Clubs
November 25, 2014 5:00 p.m.
Nassau Boys & Girls Clubs and the Baptist Health Foundation have partnered on behalf of Nassau County teens and implemented the Tipping the Scale Program. TTS, an adolescent advocacy and intervention mentoring plan offers year-round extensive one-on-one mentoring, along with introducing its participants to real-life work situations and the prospect of securing a summer job.
Kiersten London, Tayren Way, Jaclyn Rogers, Faith Mitchell, Jhania Williams & Dustin Higginbotham recently arrived at Baptist Medical Center Nassau to begin the 50-week program. As pioneers of the local rotation, the chosen members of the Nassau Boys & Girls Clubs were initially a little nervous, yet very excited to have the opportunity to meet their respective Mentors and to be part of the inaugural mentoring session.
The six trail blazers were ushered into the hospital conference room where they were seated across from the six mentors. Lynn Sherman, Director of Social Responsibility and Community Health for Baptist welcomed everyone and introduced Stephen Lee, Hospital President, Baptist Medical Center Nassau. Mr. Lee spoke about the hospital’s commitment to the area Boys & Girls Clubs but stressed the success of the program depended on those in the room. He went on further to say that this learning experience would be shared by both the mentors and the mentees. His final words of advice to the mentees were to show up, participate and get the most out of the program.
The time had finally come for each mentee to meet their respective mentor. With high-fives and fist-bumps the match ups were made. Dustin was paired with Stephen Lee; Kiersten with Dina Cuppet-Ross; Tayren with Rurick Wheeler; Jaclyn with Pamela Bolden; Faith with Barbara Gingher and Jhania with Patricia Hausauer.
Immediately following the personal introductions, a very spirited team-building exercise took place. Laughter and praise helped ease any apprehension that might still exist, as everyone seemed pleased with their counterparts.
As a precursor to getting better acquainted, each of the mentors with their mentees dispersed to have a private one-on-one conversation. “Tell me about you” forms were handed to each of them to help assist with the process. The mentees were asked some very basic questions such as favorite color, school you attend favorite class & club or sports participation. Whereas, the mentors were asked questions relating to their professional likes and dislikes, where they graduated from high school and finally if you could go back to school, what would you do differently.
Bill Gower, Boys & Girls Clubs Foundation President, concluded the meeting with thoughts about how the TTS program was the answer to so many situations facing our teens and at-risk youth of today.
Beginning in January 2015, the plan is to increase the number of Boys & Girls Club participants. With the strong commitments from all parties concerned the program is bound to be a very positive success within the community.