As we are all enjoying our summer, RPS is busy preparing for the 2019 – 2020 school year. Here are a few ways for you to get involved and give the best opportunities possible to the next generation of the Church Hill Community.
Mentoring Opportunity
We often discuss the challenges facing our public schools here in Richmond. As we have this conversation as a community, time and again, we all agree, we have a responsibility to the next generation. Richmond Public Schools is expanding their opportunity for direct mentoring to Chimborazo Elementary.
This program, which pairs young men of color with adult mentors of color, is currently recruiting mentors for the 2019-20 school year. If you’re interested in serving as a mentor, please apply here. Note that the application closes on Thursday, August 15. For any questions, please contact Tamika Massie, Engagement Specialist, at tmassie@rvaschools.net.
– RPS Direct
Read CHPN’s Previous Article on Brother’s United
Statistics Show Mentoring Makes a Huge Difference for At Risk Students
Students who meet regularly with their mentors are 52% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school and 37% less likely to skip a class.
Youth who meet regularly with their mentors are 46% less likely than their peers to start using illegal drugs and 27% less likely to start drinking.
Seventy-six percent at-risk young adults who had a mentor aspire to enroll in and graduate from college versus half of at-risk young adults who had no mentor. They are also more likely to be enrolled in college.
Mentoring reduces “depression symptoms” and increases “social acceptance, academic attitudes and grades.”
– The Youth Mentor
Beautification Efforts Continue
You can still participate in the second annual effort to beautify our schools before students return. This year, there are three ways to get involved:
- Beautification Days – Volunteers will beautify school buildings and grounds by painting walls, organizing libraries, picking up trash, weeding gardens, and more. Click here to volunteer at the school of your choice, or here to donate supplies or funds.
- Bathroom Blitz – Volunteers with expertise in plumbing, electrical work, painting, and deep cleaning are needed to help us continue the work of upgrading our school bathrooms. Click here to volunteer your time for one of these crucial projects, or here to donate supplies or funds.
- Community Murals – Led by local artists and neighborhood leaders, community members will help create murals for our schools that celebrate Richmond’s history and diversity. Click here to donate supplies or funds.
If you have questions about RPS Shines 2019, please email our Community Partnerships Coordinator, Grady Hart, at GHart@rvaschools.net. Thank you!
It Takes a Village, or Maybe, Just a Really Dedicated Hill
Either by engaging in the opportunities above, or, finding your own way to get involved, we all are accountable to the youth of our community. Let’s get to work!