Mentors Needed for K.I.D.S. Program

The Association of Religious Communities (ARC) is pleased to collaborate with the Danbury Public School system by helping meet the need for volunteer mentors through the KIDS (Kids In Danbury Schools) program. This program was initiated by ARC four years ago, at the request of the founder, Charles Schott, a retired IBM software executive. During that time, the program has expanded from serving about 80 students a year to over 450 annually. ARC is currently recruiting new volunteers for the KIDS mentor program. Anyone interested in volunteering is invited to attend our "4th Annual Luncheon for Volunteers" scheduled for September 29^th.

KIDS is a mentoring program that matches volunteers with elementary school classroom students and their teachers, primarily in kindergarten classrooms. The KIDS schools are Title I (low-income) schools. Volunteers help the students build their reading and math skills through classroom projects, educational games, and small group activities. Under the direction of the teacher, students are mentored individually or in small groups. The overarching goal is to provide a solid educational foundation for the rest of students’ academic careers.

“Many people ask how they can volunteer for ARC,” said Rev. Phyllis J. Leopold, Executive Director at ARC. “Often times there are no opportunities because of client confidentiality. But now this program gives people a chance to work with young students in our community and enhance their educational achievement to better prepare for their futures.” Volunteers will be asked to donate a minimum of 2-hours a week from October 2017 – June 2018

Dr. William Glass, Deputy Superintendent of Danbury Public Schools and an ARC Board Member explains, “It is amazing what the power of one caring adult can have on the life of a child. The KIDS Initiative seeks to connect a caring adult with a child in need of academic support. Often these are relatively young children who need someone to help them with their reading or math skills. For example, the simple act of reading to a child or just listening to a child read to you can have very positive outcomes on that child's reading development.”

A pilot program was directed by Schott for 3 years at the Morris Street School in Danbury beginning in 2011 where 16 volunteers and the school staff built the successful model now employed by the KIDS program in the five KIDS schools supported by over 60 volunteers.

“The KIDS Initiative is designed to provide supplemental support to academic needy children in the elementary grades. It is based upon the thought that kids don't care how much you know until they know how much you care,” said Dr. Glass. “We are very fortunate to be able to expand this very successful initiative and to provide even more children with the gift of adult support and encouragement. The education of our next generation should be a top priority for all of us", explained Schott.

Last year Cadette Girl Scout Troop 50340 joined the KIDS program and volunteered in the after-school Extended Learning Program (ELP) in four schools. This year we are expanding the KIDS program to include after-school music enrichment. We are also recruiting volunteer musicians as we implement this newest component.

If people are interested in volunteering for KIDS they are invited to attend an Information Session Luncheon being held on September 29^th at 12:00 noon at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury, 24 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury. RSVPs are required.

Please RSVP to Jo Gabriele at proassist@arcforpeace.org