One hour a week.
Stephen Stevens Jr. and Kathryn DiMola are looking for men and women who can spare that hour to give a little guidance to some Frankford High School ninth-graders.
The two are trying to line up adults to mentor the kids, helping them get better grades or assisting with some personal issues like setting up their own bank accounts.
Maybe all that needs to be done is to listen or offer a little advice to the teens, they said during the Oct. 6 meeting of the Frankford Civic Association at Aria Health’s Frankford campus.
DiMola and Stevens, who work for Frankford’s Boys and Girls Club, are hoping to match 125 kids with adults. They stressed that the students who sign up for the mentor program sincerely want to get help. They’re not being forced into the program; it’s their decision.
DiMola said the volunteer mentors must undergo background checks and be approved by youngsters’ parents. The adults will meet with students on school property from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. once a week during the school year.
Volunteers also will be trained, DiMola and Stevens said, and can participate in activities with the students.
All over the high school, Stevens noted, are signs that proclaim Frankford as the home of sports champions. “We want it to be that way academically, too,” he said.
Adults interested in helping kids can call Stephen (pronounced Stef-an) Stevens at 267–971–2540 or Kathryn DiMola at 856–816–5891. ••
