Mother-Daughter Bond Strengthened Through Volunteering

Volunteering can be a great way to get out into the community, try new things and meet new people. But did you know it can also bring you closer together with a loved one? For Joan Farahmand and her daughter Rosemary, volunteering for Boston Partners in Education isn’t just a way to give back – it’s another way to connect.

Rosemary Farahmand (left) and Joan Farahmand (right)

Joan had already been volunteering for two years in the Math Rules! program at the Nathan Hale School in Roxbury when Rosemary returned to Boston after working in New York City. Rosemary was heading back to school and had some spare time, and she wanted to make the most of it. Since Joan was having such a great time in the Boston Public Schools, Rosemary thought she’d give it a try, too.

As luck would have it, the mother-daughter team ended up serving in the same second and third grade classrooms at the Hale. They find that working together enhances the experience for both of them.

“Rosemary is my lifesaver this year, because I was a little bit outnumbered in the beginning,” Joan said. “The kids have many unique needs, and it was difficult to help each individual student. Volunteering with my daughter, I’m really impressed on how she’s doing with the kids and how selfless she is.”

After living under the same roof for decades, it’s this interaction that gives Joan and Rosemary the chance to see a side of each other they may have otherwise missed.

“I like seeing how my mom interacts with the kids because I didn’t have much experience with kids before,” Rosemary said. “I’m learning from her how one should handle students. And now my mom and I have some inside jokes. We talk [about school] at home, and it makes my sisters jealous.”

The Farahmands bring a special family dynamic to the classroom, often leaning on one another for assistance. If one student is having a tough day, Joan will work with him one-on-one while Rosemary works with the rest of the group. This small but mighty team is working together to answer the call for additional student support in the Boston Public Schools. The pair wholeheartedly believes that anyone with the ability to help should. As a result, both women gain personal satisfaction and fulfillment from volunteering.

“At this point, I just feel like we’re making a big difference,” Joan said.

They’ve seen a very shy student become the “multiplication master” due to her increased confidence in math. One student has health issues, but has amazing resilience and positivity in spite of it. The women see these experiences as a lesson “to stay positive, even when we’re feeling down.”

The Farahmands have an unbreakable bond as mother and daughter, but this experience has made them closer as friends. This Mother’s Day, consider giving mom what she truly wants–the gift of quality time with her children.

The mother-daughter duo has grown closer because of their volunteer work.

An Investment with a Priceless Return

Financial services company becomes integral part of school community

For companies in the financial sector, success begins with making a good investment. Natixis Global Asset Management (Natixis), a global firm with a Boston office, took this idea to a new level when they collaborated with Mayor Menino to launch the Adopt-a-School program last year. The program enables companies to make a direct and sustained impact on individual schools through support that enhances the learning process. “We can’t think of a better investment than Boston Public Schools,” said Caren Leedom, Executive Vice President of Natixis Global Communications. “To create a workforce that is competitive in this growing global economy means that we need to provide the best public education possible.”

Natixis CEO John Hailer with Mayor Thomas Menino and Winthrop students

Natixis chose to adopt the John Winthrop Elementary School, a small, under-resourced school serving Dorchester and Roxbury neighborhoods. About 86% of Winthrop students come from low-income families, and 30% speak English as a second language. Working closely with the City of Boston and the Winthrop’s leadership, the company identified three pressing areas of improvement at the school: technology, facilities, and mentoring. To start, Natixis provided laptops, software, iPads, and Smart Boards for classrooms. As part of the facilities assessment, the company focused on creating a positive learning environment by soundproofing the cafeteria and renovating the outdoor garden. There have been other initiatives as well, including a holiday gift giving program, school supply drives, and a summer volunteer clean-up day.

Yet it is through mentoring that Natixis’s commitment to Winthrop students really shines. A group of dedicated academic mentors travel to the school every Wednesday to participate in Boston Partners in Education’s Power Lunch program. The volunteers work with first grade students on raising confidence levels, improving literacy skills, and cultivating curiosity. “I can speak for the whole group of mentors when I say we look forward to our weekly visits,” said Tracey Flaherty, Senior Vice President of Natixis Government Relations. “There is a ton of excitement when the kids come find us in the library—with hugs and high fives.” Tracey reads to her student, Joseph, while he eats his lunch, and then they play word games. “His favorite is hang man. I try to stump him, but usually he guesses right,” she said.

Natixis volunteer Dave Jilek with his mentee

Natixis volunteers are able to serve eight students in three classrooms. According to the teachers, they see marked differences in their students. “The program has enabled my students to develop relational skills and deepen their communication with other adults,” first grade teacher Anne Roman said. “The students are proud to share their accomplishments at Power Lunch with their peers.” Her fellow teacher Sharon Radcliffe agreed, citing the one-on-one attention as the key ingredient for growth.

However, the pay-off is not just for the first graders. “Our employees have gained as much from the initiative as the students and it’s something we hope to continue to grow,” Caren said. Tracey agreed, saying she feels that she has “accomplished something worthwhile” after Power Lunch and is excited to “continue nurturing and encouraging Joseph’s love of reading” next year.

Natixis hopes that the scope of the Adopt-a-School program will become broader than the positive change they have initiated at the Winthrop School. The company views it as a one-of-a-kind chance to transform how the business world approaches public education. “We hope to work with the City to promote and grow the program in every key sector of the economy in Boston,” Caren said. “We’d like to get more businesses involved with different schools, and we hope that this program will eventually become a national model for private business partnerships in public education. It truly is an investment that will pay off for years to come,” she added.

 

Marathon Team Needs your Help to Cross the Finish Line

Boston Partners’ Team Makes Final Push to Reach Fundraising Goal

One month from today marks the start of the 2013 Boston Marathon®, a world-renowned road race that tests the mental and physical limitations of even the most elite runners. On April 15, 2013, Boston will be flooded by a sea of spectators cheering for 28,000 participants as they trek the challenging 26-mile course. Thanks to the John Hancock Boston Marathon Non-Profit Program, Boston Partners in Education is proud to have three of those runners representing our organization this year.

Our team of three motivated individuals, Brandon Shankle, Carissa Catarella and Benton Berman, is working tirelessly to train for the big event. Each runner has dedicated time and energy to raise funds and awareness for Boston Partners in Education. And if jogging for dozens of miles out in the freezing cold this winter wasn’t enough, the trio has committed to raising money to support Boston Partners’ core programs (School Volunteer Program, Math Rules!, and Power Lunch). Our Executive Director, Pamela Civins, challenged them to raise $20,000 and they are so close! These funds are essential to help provide Boston Public Schools students with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in school and in life.

There’s also a special factor that distinguishes this year’s runners from past teams. All three runners have a close connection to Boston Partners, and while running the Boston Marathon fulfills their personal goals, they are all deeply committed to the cause of helping at-risk children in the Boston Public Schools. You can read each runner’s personal tie to our organization below:

Brandon Shankle:

Brandon comes from a Navy family and has lived in areas all over the country. After attending St. Lawrence University in upstate New York, he chose Boston as home. Brandon works for Westfield Capital Management, attends graduate school at Boston University, and has been a Math Rules! volunteer at the Josiah Quincy School in Chinatown since 2010.

Shortly after Brandon moved to Boston, he decided he wanted to get involved in the community, both as a way to give back and to meet new people. He chose Boston Partners because he believes in its mission to help students inside the classroom.

“The best reason to support Boston Partners is because they encourage people to volunteer their time to kids in the local schools, as opposed to just handing out money,” Brandon said. “The students benefit much more from personal interaction than by getting that new computer in the computer lab. Sure, the technology is nice, but learning from another person and getting personal attention trumps that every time and helps build their confidence.”

Brandon is a self-described “sports guy” who actively participates in baseball, hockey, boxing, golf and skiing. He also likes music, and is starting to take up the doghouse bass.

You can read more about Brandon and donate to his mission here: http://www.crowdrise.com/TeamBostonPartnersinEducation/fundraiser/brandonshankle

Carissa Catarella

Carissa grew up in Weymouth and currently resides in Raynham, where she works at Joyal Capital Management. Prior to moving to the South Shore, Carissa lived in Boston and worked at State Street, one of Boston Partners’ strongest corporate alliances. It was during that time when Carissa volunteered at the John Marshall Elementary School in Dorchester.

Though her current distance from the city keeps her from volunteering, Carissa’s commitment to support Boston Partners is still evident. Despite her long hours at work, Carissa has managed to organize a few fundraising events that have been crucial towards her reaching her minimum goal of $5,000.

“I have volunteered for Boston Partners in the past, and knowing how this organization changes the lives of children motivates me to train harder and work harder at fundraising … I only wish I lived closer to the Boston area so that I could volunteer for them again.” Carissa said.

Carissa is actively interested in researching healthy lifestyle habits and food, and she remains incredibly focused on her running. She ran a half-marathon in February as preparation for the “big day” on April 15, and after the Boston Marathon, she is contemplating taking a shot at a triathlon.

You can read more about Carissa and donate to her mission here: http://www.crowdrise.com/TeamBostonPartnersinEducation/fundraiser/carissacatarella

Benton Berman

Benton grew up in Newton and currently lives in the Back Bay area, where he works for Liberty Mutual. He’s running the 2013 Boston Marathon in honor of his father, Bill, who served on Boston Partners’ Board of Directors for over 20 years (1988-2010). The leadership and dedication Bill demonstrated during both good and challenging times left a legacy and served as an inspiration to his Board and beyond.

Over the years, Benton has attended many Boston Partners events and interacted with several students who have benefited from the individualized mentoring services provided by Boston Partners.

“Boston Partners provides the opportunity for 3,700 Boston children to be better positioned for success by the one-on-one tutoring that their 655 tutors provide each year,” Benton said. “The recipients of these services would otherwise have to struggle to find a way to meet these needs in an educational environment that does not have the resources to provide this kind of focused support.”

When he’s not running or supporting various charitable causes in the city, Benton loves to spend time with his wife and eight-year-old son. He enjoys traveling, skiing, playing with their dog, Tank, and is a huge Boston sports fan.

You can read more about Benton and donate to his mission here: http://www.crowdrise.com/TeamBostonPartnersinEducation/fundraiser/bentonberman

Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”~ Dr. Seuss

 

Executive Director Pamela Civins shares her thoughts about Big Cheese Reads on the eve of our 9th Annual Gala

“Big Cheese” Will Muggia reading at Orchard Gardens

Seven years ago, I experienced my first Big Cheese Reads gala – it was Boston Partners in Education’s 2nd time hosting this event, the annual celebration of our Big Cheese Reads Initiative.  During the initial planning process, I remember saying, “What could go wrong? It’s just a party!” Well, while the gala is celebrating everything about Boston Partners in Education, it’s more than “just a party.”  To say the least, I was a bit naïve!

That year in 2006, about 250 guests attended the gala.  Today, as we prepare for our 9^th Annual Big Cheese Reads Gala, on Wednesday, April 10, we are expecting nearly 500 attendees.  We are proud to have doubled the guest count, as well as the amount of money raised. These crucial funds help support the work of our three core programs (School Volunteer Program, Math Rules!, and Power Lunch).

“Big Cheese” Commissioner Ed Davis of the Boston Police Department

This year’s gala will be unique because we are recognizing the extraordinary success of Boston’s nationally acclaimed Orchard Gardens K-8 School. As a partner of our organization for many years, Orchard Gardens has utilized our academic mentors to help students reach their full potential.  We also regularly bring in a group of “Big Cheeses” to read stories aloud, and speak with the middle school students about the importance of literacy and career development.

Over the years, we have proven that no one is ever too old for a read aloud! Similar to how the gala celebration has grown, the programmatic aspect of the Big Cheese Reads has expanded as well. By the end of the academic year, we will achieve our goal of having 100 Big Cheese Readers interact with over 2,000 students!

“Big Cheese” Nicole DeBlois reads to Orchard Gardens’ students

Thanks to this initiative, I will visit 25 K-8 and middle schools in Boston. Being present in the classroom and listening to our “Big Cheeses” allows me to learn more about Boston’s corporate and community leaders, and the steps they took to achieve success in their personal and professional lives. Each person’s journey is an inspiration to the students (and, me too!).  Boston Partners in Education is honored to help make these connections now, and for generations to come.

---

What Happens at a Big Cheese Reading?

“Big Cheeses” are business and community leaders who visit Boston middle school classrooms in order to make an impact in the lives of our community’s youth. During and after reading a story aloud to a class, they help students make the crucial connection between literacy, career and success.  “Big Cheeses” share their own experiences with the students, including their personal career path and challenges.  Many opportunities arise for our “Big Cheeses” to offer advice and answer any questions the students may have.

Being a Big Cheese Reader is not only fun and easy; it’s a meaningful way to make a difference in the lives of students who may otherwise have little personal exposure to successful business executives and community leaders. It can be challenging for children growing up in under-resourced environments to understand why it’s important for them to continue working hard in school.

A Big Cheese Reader is a positive role model who underscores an important message: succeeding in school will help you succeed in life!

More Than a Part-time Job

What makes a job more than just work? One answer might be when you really enjoy it. Another is when it impacts your life positively, encouraging involvement in your community. For our Site Coordinators, their position is so much more than a part-time job.  They manage the day-to-day operations of our Power Lunch Program, making sure that everything is running smoothly for students, mentors, and teachers alike. Empowered by the tools they’ve developed from coordinating the program in schools, these women have become mentors in their own right, promoting the academic and personal growth of the young readers in their own families.

Ieshia Marshall, who coordinates the program at the Russell School in Dorchester and the Perry School in South Boston, has become more involved in her son’s academics since she started working for Boston Partners in Education. Her son, Marquis, a 3^rd grader at Mattahunt Elementary in Mattapan, could use an extra push when it comes to reading. “It opened my eyes to focusing more on his grades, getting books on his reading level at home, and introducing him to stories he likes,” she said. As a single mother, she wishes she had more time to help Marquis read and expand his vocabulary, but after being exposed to the types of programs offered by organizations like Boston Partners, Ieshia is looking into free tutoring and mentoring options for her son.

Niki Lewis has three children in Boston Public Schools, one who is in Power Lunch at the Winthrop School in Dorchester where she works. “I knew that Oneja was having problems with reading, but I didn’t think he’d be nominated. Power Lunch is definitely helping him because he’s actually getting the chance to come out of his shell and read one-on-one with his volunteer, instead of just listening to reading in a class of twenty students with one teacher,” she said. Though she read with Oneja before working at the Winthrop, she said she now has more structure when reading with him. “Now, we make time to sit down together to read, discuss the book, and ask questions.”

Oneja meets his Power Lunch mentors for the first time.

Audrey Smith has worked for Boston Partners since 2008 and, for the past few years, has coordinated Power Lunch at the Blackstone School in the South End. Since her granddaughter, Asia, was nominated by her teacher to the program when she was in kindergarten last year, Audrey has become a full-time reading coach, math tutor, homework helper, and guidance counselor for her granddaughter. “I’ve always read with all my grandchildren,” she said, “but since I’ve been a part of this program, I realize how much kids miss at school. Unless there’s someone to give them an extra push and ask specific questions, it’s hard for them to understand everything and learn.” She really values the fresh perspective Asia’s volunteers offer her. “They can expose her to different careers and opportunities she can take advantage of later on,” Audrey said.

Audrey and Asia.

Witnessing the positive effects of the program enables our Site Coordinators to be better academic mentors within their own families. It also helps them to realize that there are always more students who could benefit from Power Lunch than the program has the capacity to serve. “It makes me think about all the kids who still need help and the kids we don’t even know about, the ones who don’t speak up,” Ieshia said. “I would like to help extend the program to more kids in the future,” she added hopefully.

Boston Partners supports students by offering focused volunteer support to students in need. One of our goals is to engage family members of students in the Boston Public Schools, particularly those whose children are served by our programs. The wholehearted commitment of our Site Coordinators to improving student achievement illustrates what a powerful resource families can be within our schools.

Guarding The Future

When Wendell Williams’ grandson was four years old, he told Wendell that reading was for suckers. Wendell, a long-time academic mentor with Boston Partners in Education’s program, Math Rules!,  was unwilling to let his grandson grow up with such a negative attitude toward learning. He spent the next decade pushing his grandson to read and do well in school.

Today, Wendell’s grandson is an academically-focused high school sophomore who plays on his school’s basketball team. Wendell still makes sure he reads with all three of his grandkids every time he visits them.

Wendell believes that all students need the same supportive intervention that he gave to his grandson.  Many of the Boston Public Schools students he meets come home from school to an empty house because their parents have to work. With no one around to encourage the kids to do their school work, it rarely gets done, and they start to fall behind in class.

That’s where Boston Partners’ academic mentoring program comes in. Volunteers like Wendell spend time in the classroom helping students who need a little extra push to succeed in school. “My students can relate to me and allow me to be that positive role model,” he says. His favorite part of being a mentor is seeing his students light up when they figure out the correct answer. For Wendell, that learning experience is mutual. “They teach me patience and tolerance,” he says.

Wendell has seen firsthand what can happen to young people who don’t get support. After serving in Vietnam as a young man, Wendell worked as a maximum security prison guard for 30 years. Describing the impact of that experience he says, “I saw many prisoners who had dropped out of school early and never finished or cared about their education.” Wendell believes that showing interest in children’s education early in their lives will help them to prevent such a future.

In 2010, Wendell retired, but he loves being able to stay busy with mentoring. “I tell my retired friends about the program all the time!” he says. It’s a great opportunity to offer critical guidance to kids who need it. Boston Partners has helped Wendell feel empowered to help students. He also has a positive relationship with the school community he serves. “I feel supported and welcomed at the school,” he said. “The students really appreciate my help and welcome me every time I come into the classroom.”

They aren’t the only ones who appreciate Wendell’s help. All of us at Boston Partners in Education are so grateful for the wonderful volunteers in our programs. We know our academic mentors are making a difference in children’s lives every time they meet with their students!

A Lasting Impression

Jim Malerba reading to 7th Graders at the Warren Prescott K-8

Jim Malerba is the Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer at State Street Corporation. He’s also a Big Cheese Reader.

The Big Cheese Reads is an opportunity for successful business and community leaders like Jim make visits to middle school classes. They read short selections aloud and speak to the students about how learning and literacy have impacted their personal career journeys. One of the most meaningful parts of The Big Cheese Reads is the interaction between students and readers.

Raymond Baez, 7th Grade

During a visit to a 7th grade class at Warren Prescott School in Charlestown, Jim experienced the power of that connection to students. Jim asked the class if they had ever heard of State Street and, to his surprise, a student raised his hand. Raymond Baez participated in our Power Lunch program from first through third grade and had two volunteers who worked for State Street, Seth Rubin and Pranal Shah. Each year for the end of the year party, Raymond took a field trip to State Street and toured the building with his reading mentors – it made quite an impression.

Raymond eagerly offered his recollection. “Power Lunch was fun!” he said. During the end of the year visits, his mentors showed him around the office. Raymond said he could tell that the State Street employees have tough jobs. “They have a lot of paperwork and phone calls,” he explained. “They’re always busy.” Raymond especially enjoyed getting to meet new friends from the five different schools participating in the State Street visit.

Pranal and Raymond, 2nd Grade (2007-2008)

Raymond understands the importance of literacy, even at his age. “I used to never read,” he said. “This year, I’m trying to get good grades, so I’m reading.” Raymond shared that recently he’d been reading the popular young adult series The Hunger Games.

Raymond & Seth, 3rd Grade (2008-2009)

Jim can relate to that. “I was never a good student. I hated spelling,” he told the class. “Then I went to business school, and I couldn’t spell. But I needed to be able to communicate!” These days, he told students, he carries around a Webster’s Dictionary everywhere he goes. Jim’s personal story reflects the importance of staying on course with education in order to build a successful career.

Raymond and his classmates are already thinking about future careers. “I want a good career, so I can help my mom,” he said. Raymond’s stepfather is into fixing up cars, and his brother is an auto technician, but Raymond says cars aren’t really his thing. Fortunately, Raymond is already building the confidence to pursue a career that is exciting and successful for him.

Power Lunch mentors and Big Cheese Readers bring an important positive message about education and literacy to students who may need an extra boost of encouragement. The Big Cheese Reads offers students at a critical age exposure to a wide range of careers that they may not otherwise encounter. The goal is to give students like Raymond the tools they need to reach any career goals they can dream up.

For some students, the first step is reading a chapter of a really good book. For others, it all starts with one inspiring conversation with an adult who believes in their future.