Student-athletes from Grand Valley State University have stepped from their labs and lecture hallsinto charter school classrooms to mentor students.
By volunteering for Athletes Who Care, GVSU students work as tutors, classroom aides orplayground supervisors to elementary or middle school students.
The three-year-old program has grown from one trial site, Vista Charter Academy in Grand Rapids, toinclude two others: William C. Abney Performing Arts Academy, also in Grand Rapids, and Tri-ValleyAcademy, in Muskegon.
Matt Murray, member of the track and cross country teams, coordinates the program. Now with 35volunteers, he hopes to increase that number to 60 next year.
At Vista, the teachers asked us to work mainly on self-esteem issues, said Murray, a senior majoringin biomedicine. Our main goal is to get the students to realize there is more to school after highschool. At Tri-Valley, we tell them that in order to play athletics, they first have to pass their academicsubjects.
Kim Stover, a GVSU junior, spends most of her time reviewing lessons with students. Because sheplans to be a high school teacher after graduation, Stover said she appreciates the chance to help adiverse class of students.
You have to be able to communicate to the ones who don't understand and know how to explainthings in a different way, said Stover, member of the track and field team. It's a lot of fun and it helpsme to work with students.
Pat Sandro, GVSU special assistant for charter schools, said Athletes Who Care helps establish arelationship between the university and the charter schools it authorizes.
This is an opportunity for college students who are interested in education, or social work, orcommunication to get some service time in and do some positive things, he said.
Charter school administrators praised the program.
Jan VanDeusen, Vista Charter Academy principal, said matching students with a mentor helps theirself-esteem levels.
Most of our kids come from families who are highly mobile and could use some support in buildingtheir self-confidence, she said. We've so thoroughly enjoyed the program. The students arewonderful role models.
Tamasha James, Tri-Valley Academy dean of students, said the fact that mentors play sports does notgo overlooked.
They see college athletes on TV and think it's something out of reach for them, James said. Byworking with the Grand Valley students, they know the option is there if that's something they wouldlike to pursue.
