VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
A Positive Development The Courtyard Mentor Network celebrates its first graduates. By Eleanor Ingersoll
T
he Courtyard Mentor Network, created by QVNA Board Member Justin Fishman and his wife, Rachel, introduces young men to career path options while providing guidance for developing healthy relationship skills.
“I feel more confident after completing this program.” —Yazeem Darby Green At National Night Out on August 3, all 14 participants of the inaugural class were on hand to receive program certificates. Just two days later, 11 participants attended the 2021 Mentoring (sleep-away) Camp, run by Kirk Berry, a youth empowerment educator and vice president of Norristown Men of Excellence. Fishman reports that a generous donor stepped up to cover the entire $3,300 cost for the camp, and the Network provided each family with funds to cover needed supplies. Future sessions, which are on the books for fall and spring, will feature field trips to local businesses and job sites. ■ The Courtyard Mentor Network is a fiscally sponsored group of QVNA. To support this volunteer-driven effort, visit bit.ly/ CourtyardMentorNetwork. Or follow CMN https://instagram.com/ courtyardmentornetwork
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ FALL 2021
Proud Courtyard Mentorship Network participants show off their certificates.
By the Numbers: Total Boys Enrolled: 14 Average Age: 12.4 Average Attendance: 87 percent Programming Hours, Professional: 8 (Fire/EMT, Construction Management, Chef, Barber, Emergency Doctor, Architect, Financial Advisor/Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship) Programming Hours, Real Essentials Advanced: 8 (Self-Confidence, Future Goals, Communication, Public Speaking, Healthy Relationships, Advertising and Social Media Influence, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Peer Pressure, Personality Profile, Commitments) Meals Served: 97 Thank-You Cards to Mentors: 15 Completion Certificates (and Wawa Gift Cards): 14 Resource Binders (with Mentor Contact Info and Recaps): 14 Average Program Rating (1-5 scale): 5
