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Sutter Middle program provides adult role models for students
Once a week, a room at Sutter Middle School is transformed. A student enthusiastically describes her school day to a woman listening attentively, while another girl works on a painting with her mentor. A ping pong ball bounces around the room, escaped from a game between two players. Every once in a while, one of the students reaches down to pet the dog sitting calmly on the ground.
The program that makes all of this possible is called SMAK – Sutter Middle Adults and Kids. Adult volunteers serve as mentors, positive role models, and friends to the students involved. They meet with the kids in the program over lunch to enjoy pizza and spend quality time together. The students even get to hang out with Yohann, a therapy dog, once a month.
It all started several years ago at Theodore Judah Elementary School. Salwa Kasabian, whose own son attended the school, noticed the struggles of some students – some couldn’t complete their homework, or came to school hungry - and thought volunteers could help provide additional support.
“You can’t just see this need and not do anything about it,” said Kasabian, a past District Volunteer of the Year award winner.
She first founded the group JUMP - Judah United Mentor Project. Through JUMP, adult mentors meet with the students they paired up with once a week during lunch. Teachers, counselors or principals help direct students to the program.
As students involved in JUMP moved up to middle school, Kasabian sought to expand the program to Sutter as well, which has taken off in recent years.
Some of the volunteers have been involved in the program for years. Eric Van Tricht was looking for an ongoing volunteer opportunity when he came across Kasabian's program.
He has been a mentor for four years and meets with students at Theodore Judah, Sutter, and Blanche Sprentz, where the program is called Bear and Mentors.
“[My favorite part is] how it makes me feel,” Van Tricht said. He likes that he can make a positive impact by spending just 40 minutes a week with a student.
“We’re feeding love and life into the kids that need it,” Kasabian said.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or want more information, contact:
Salwa Kasabian, Executive Director
Folsom's Hope
(916) 415-5013