Sometimes, the mentoring looks like a “big brother” program. On Tuesday morning, quiet groups of children sat around the table with their mentors and played board games.
“The game is there, but it’s to build communication,” Gestrich said. “While they’re playing these games, they’re talking and building a relationship.”
Chris Oquendo, a Navy police officer, said he thinks his presence at Butler helps students. “We’re not from the school, so we can give them different aspects and be a different kind of role model,” Oquendo said.
Kesian Clinton, a fifth grader who teachers say has had behavior problems at school in the past, said having a mentor at school has helped. “It feels good to have them around, because they talk to us about doing good and bad stuff,” Kesian said.
Gestrich said that if Kesian has good behavior, he’s rewarded with a game of basketball with the mentors. “They’re teaching him to make good decisions, and how to be a leader, not a follower,” Gestrich said. “For him, it’s knowing he has an outside positive role model. He’s come a long way.”