Volunteer Recognition
Our programs would not be successful without the tremendous dedication of our volunteers. Whether at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Night, being recognized as a Mentor of the Month, or getting a simple word of encouragement, we strive to acknowledge all the hard work our mentors put into making our program great.
Mentor of the Month
Kevin Spicer - November 2020
Kevin and his mentee, Eli, were matched in November of 2019 and quickly became close friends. Eli is an inquisitive and driven young man so Kevin has spent a lot of time expanding his horizons. They have learned how to play the Ukulele together, worked on some of Eli's coding projects and checked out a lot of the local cultural offerings that DC has to offer. Lately Eli has been looking for a job and Kevin has been helping him work on interviewing, filling out job applications and working on his resume. COVID has changed the way that many of us live our lives and has become yet another barrier for our youth's positive development. However, mentors like Kevin have stepped up to the plate to improvise, adapt and overcome the new challenges our youth are facing.
1. What’s your fondest memory from spending time with your mentee?
We had great fun one afternoon at the Air and Space Museum. Elijah had talked up going on a flight simulator together, and little did I know that we got strapped in and went all upside down. We both were yelling and trying to coordinate shooting down other planes, and we still laugh about it today when he reminds me how many targets I missed.
2. What has been your favorite Peer Group?
The Hip Hop Dance Class Peer Group is my favorite. Elijah and I were both out of our comfort zones, but we had good fun messing up and learning new dance moves with the group.
3. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since becoming your mentee’s mentor?
One of Elijah’s goals was to learn Spanish, and not knowing the language I had to use a lot of Google translate and dictionaries to help Elijah with his homework assignments. It’s been a good challenge for both of us, and pronunciation is still a work in progress.
4. What is your current job/career and what is something you enjoy about your work?
I’ve worked for a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives for over 15 years. I enjoy that it still connects me to the people and issues of my hometown region, and that there are new challenges and topics to learn about every day.
5. What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time I play classical guitar, go birdwatching, and for better or worse watch professional wrestling.
6. What's your favorite food?
Mac and cheese, of course.
Kevin and his mentee, Eli, were matched in November of 2019 and quickly became close friends. Eli is an inquisitive and driven young man so Kevin has spent a lot of time expanding his horizons. They have learned how to play the Ukulele together, worked on some of Eli's coding projects and checked out a lot of the local cultural offerings that DC has to offer. Lately Eli has been looking for a job and Kevin has been helping him work on interviewing, filling out job applications and working on his resume. COVID has changed the way that many of us live our lives and has become yet another barrier for our youth's positive development. However, mentors like Kevin have stepped up to the plate to improvise, adapt and overcome the new challenges our youth are facing.
1. What’s your fondest memory from spending time with your mentee?
We had great fun one afternoon at the Air and Space Museum. Elijah had talked up going on a flight simulator together, and little did I know that we got strapped in and went all upside down. We both were yelling and trying to coordinate shooting down other planes, and we still laugh about it today when he reminds me how many targets I missed.
2. What has been your favorite Peer Group?
The Hip Hop Dance Class Peer Group is my favorite. Elijah and I were both out of our comfort zones, but we had good fun messing up and learning new dance moves with the group.
3. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since becoming your mentee’s mentor?
One of Elijah’s goals was to learn Spanish, and not knowing the language I had to use a lot of Google translate and dictionaries to help Elijah with his homework assignments. It’s been a good challenge for both of us, and pronunciation is still a work in progress.
4. What is your current job/career and what is something you enjoy about your work?
I’ve worked for a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives for over 15 years. I enjoy that it still connects me to the people and issues of my hometown region, and that there are new challenges and topics to learn about every day.
5. What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time I play classical guitar, go birdwatching, and for better or worse watch professional wrestling.
6. What's your favorite food?
Mac and cheese, of course.
Current Mentor of the Month
Kevin Spicer - November 2020
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Past Mentors of the Month |
2019 BESTie Awards
Mentor of the Year
Lauren Gilbertson
Rookie the Year
Brian Janovitz
Longest Mentoring Match
Gail McCann
Educational Strides Award
Monique Dessaso
Life Skills Strides Award
Cary Robinson
Caregiver Connection Award
Ernest Shepard
Marcus Isom
Go For the Goal Award
Malcolm Cosgrove-Davies
Best Reporter
Julia ZurBEST Kids Supporter
Jennifer Simon
Advocacy Award
Marie Cohen
Most Consistent
Stephanie Sweet (ages 6-14)
Megan Brew (ages 6-14)
Roxi Reeves (ages 15+)
Socialization Strides Award
Tosha Beckford
Most Creative Outings
Sarah Mickey
Most Persistent
Dan Schiff
Most Resilient
Laura McVey2019 BEST Kids Awards Recipients
BEST Believer Award - Eric Warden
This award recognizes an individual for their contribution of time and resources to help further the impact of our programs.
Eric has not only been a faithful donor for many years, but has also recently stepped up as a volunteer to assist and lead us in our current strategic planning process.Bringing out the BEST Award - Psychiatric Institute of Washington
This award recognizes a corporation that has invested time and resources in order to maximize our ability to sustain our programs.
The Psychiatric Institute of Washington (PIW) has been a consistent sponsor, supporting our ART of the Matter event, since 2015 and has also worked with us to ensure our mentees are receiving the best care possible during times of crisis.BEST Friend Award - Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington
This award recognizes a partnering agency of group that has gone above and beyond to help advance BEST Kids' capacity to deliver our programs.
The Catalogue for Philanthropy has been a tremendous support in advocating for us among foundations and donors and has also invested in us through providing staff training and capacity building.
Volunteer Appreciation Night
Every January, BEST Kids hosts a mentor recognition event. Mentors are presented with awards and honored for their service in the program from the past year by receiving a BESTie Award. Scroll through the photos of the most previous Volunteer Appreciation Night, celebrating all the great things that happened in 2019!
