REDELEPHANTMENTORSHIP

STORY BY BEN MILLER

One of the many resources available to students in Gainesville City Schools System is the mentorship program led by Brandon Evans As the mentorship coordinator for GCSS, he works with students kindergarten to graduation Evans states that “the mission of our program is to make sure that identify students who may need an extra sense of support ” He and his team aim to move from what they call the triangle method (the parent, the school, the kid) to what they call the diamond method (the parent, the school, the kid, and a mentor) in order to give students the support that they need and deserve.

There are several reasons that mentors may be paired with students These can range from needing support for academics, behavior/discipline, or even simply needing a person to talk to and look up to Evans says that they also have mentees who utilize their mentor as “ a positive outlook for people doing positive things in the community.”

Students are asked to join the program based on teacher, counselor and administrative recommendations. While some students are chosen, any student is able to participate in this incredible program, students can contact Mr Evans via email Evans then meets with each student to understand their interests, hobbies, and backgrounds in order to pair them with their mentor. Mentors and mentees usually meet twice a month, over lunch to maintain a positive and growing relationship In addition to the mentor meetings, Evans is available daily Gainesville High School campus and ensures that his mentees are being successful in all endeavors

In addition to his job with the school system, Evans has founded. a community-wide mentorship program called Men Alive, LLC. “We have guys in my community based program that cover 10 different schools ” says Evans This includes several students from Gainesville Middle and High Schools “Men Alive is more of a community-based program where they have to do community service and do things that aren’t just school based, but also during the evenings and on weekends.” While these two programs are separate, Evans utilizes both of them to make constant positive impacts on kids all around the Hall County area.

Evans proudly notes that there has been a significant amount of growth in academics and behavior for all of his mentees. These developments range from high school all the way down to elementary school Evans is also planning to start a new peer mentorship program, where high school students can sign up to mentor younger students

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING A MENTOR FOR GCSS, WHETHER A PEER MENTOR OR ADULT MENTOR, REACH OUT TO MR. EVANS BY EMAIL AT BRANDON.EVANS@GCSSK12.NET.

On Saturday, September 17th, members of the community gathered to cut the ribbon of the newly renovated Butler Center. Originally the home of E.E. Butler High School and now owned by Ninth District Opportunity, where Head Start is still in operation, the old gym and surrounding classrooms have been restored to their former glory to once again serve the youth of our community.

Members of the Fair Street - Butler Alumni association worked in coordination with Ninth District Opportunity, Hall County Government and Gainesville City School System (GCSS) to make this dream a reality. GCSS secured the funding for the project through the American Rescue Plan and also served as the project manager for the renovation completed by Carroll Daniel Construction Company who also built the original structure in 1962

In its first year of operation the Butler Center will be home to the Boys and Girls Clubs (B&GC) of Lanier after-school program while their Positive Place Club on Downey Avenue undergoes construction During this time Executive Director, Kyndra Cohen, will be hosting listening sessions and reviewing online survey feedback to determine the best programing for the community once the B&GC of Lanier move into their new digs. Cohen is serving in a hybrid role as the Executive Director of the Hall County Family Connection Network with the Butler Center as the hub of their programming.

To learn more or share your voice visit: www.gcssk12.net/butlercenter cousinSmithMcGarveyundertheFridaynightlightsatCity Park SubmittedbyJulieOliver