Ever wonder if the Building Impact staff practice what they preach, so to speak? Well wonder no more! Just like many of you in our buildings, our staff takes time out of our busy schedules to volunteer in our community too.
We participate in Boston Partners in Education’s Power Lunch Program. Power Lunch pairs a 1st – 3rd grade student in the Boston Public Schools with an academic mentor to encourage an interest in reading. Every week members of our staff use one lunch break to read, talk, and encourage their student throughout the school year. 
Staying with the same student the whole year is incredibly rewarding as you get to learn about your student as he or she learns about you. “Reading to my first grader is the highlight of my week. Even though BI does so much for the community and we run regular volunteer events, this feels like my special way to make a difference. I love getting to know my student and see how she changes and grows each time I see her!” says Sarah. The entire staff echoes this attitude and could go on and on about how wonderfully enriching the experience is.
Anyone else have a rewarding mentoring experience they would like to share?
Our Staff is Full of Volunteers Too!
Date:
Thu, 2010-04-08
Comments
Power Lunch is the highlight of my week too!
Not only is Power Lunch beneficial for the students we mentor, it's beneficial for us too. I love the opportunity to leave the office environment and go to a school, and spend half an hour in a library reading to someone who loves a lot of the same children's books that I loved when I was her age. Not only that, but my first-grader is so knowledgeable about animals that I learn something new every time I see her. I always come back to work feeling refreshed and re-energized. That's why volunteering is such a win-win opportunity.
-Tamara
Program Coordinator at BI
Sounds like you
Sounds like you