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 and Mentee of the Year
Lauren and Ty'shanna - Mentor and Mentee of the Year 2019
BEST Kids, Inc. is pleased to present our Mentor and Mentee Pair of the Year, Lauren and Ty'shanna!
Lauren and Ty'shanna have been matched for over two years, but their impact on BEST Kids goes back much further. Ty'shanna first came to BEST Kids along with her four younger brothers in 2011 when she was just 11 years old. For mentoring to work, there has to be buy-in from both sides of the relationship – from both the mentor and the mentee along with their family. And if you were to look consistently through the years, Ty'shanna and her brothers consistently continues to be some of BEST Kids' biggest supporters.
Ty’shanna had three mentors before Lauren and has learned from multiple influences in her life. So much so, that BEST Kids is gleaning from her wisdom. Ty’shanna was one of the founding members of the first ever BEST Kids Youth Advisory Council (YAC) and she continues to serve and share her wisdom on the council. This year the council produced a documentary that presented a picture of what life is like growing up in DC and how a mentor can support a youth – and Ty’shanna didn’t hold back. Though Ty’shanna is technically a mentee in our program, she has definitely taken the role of mentor with a lot of our youth, our staff, and even her past and present mentors.
Lauren has been consistent since day one. Lauren has been mentoring with BEST Kids since 2013 and Ty’shanna is Lauren’s second mentee. Lauren’s first mentee, like many youth in foster care, suffered from a lot of trauma and neglect, and thereby brought forth a lot of challenging behaviors. But Lauren committed to this young lady for three years and stuck by her side, especially when challenges seemed overwhelming. We are so grateful for Lauren and the ways she consistently showed up for Ty’shanna and for BEST Kids.
Together, Lauren and Ty’shanna are both very goal-oriented. Much of their past year was spent focusing on education which resulted in Ty’shanna enrolling in Excel Academy to earn her high school diploma this year. They enjoy many activities together. Sometimes when new mentors come to us, they are somewhat daunted thinking – ‘what do I do with my mentee?’ ‘Will I be fun enough for them?’ But with Lauren and Ty’shanna, they both claim that some of their best times together have been simply going for walks and talking. Lauren and Ty’shanna’s relationship embodies a sense of mutuality, consistency, and simply showing up that hope to emulate throughout our program.
Lauren and Ty'shanna have been matched for over two years, but their impact on BEST Kids goes back much further. Ty'shanna first came to BEST Kids along with her four younger brothers in 2011 when she was just 11 years old. For mentoring to work, there has to be buy-in from both sides of the relationship – from both the mentor and the mentee along with their family. And if you were to look consistently through the years, Ty'shanna and her brothers consistently continues to be some of BEST Kids' biggest supporters.
Ty’shanna had three mentors before Lauren and has learned from multiple influences in her life. So much so, that BEST Kids is gleaning from her wisdom. Ty’shanna was one of the founding members of the first ever BEST Kids Youth Advisory Council (YAC) and she continues to serve and share her wisdom on the council. This year the council produced a documentary that presented a picture of what life is like growing up in DC and how a mentor can support a youth – and Ty’shanna didn’t hold back. Though Ty’shanna is technically a mentee in our program, she has definitely taken the role of mentor with a lot of our youth, our staff, and even her past and present mentors.
Lauren has been consistent since day one. Lauren has been mentoring with BEST Kids since 2013 and Ty’shanna is Lauren’s second mentee. Lauren’s first mentee, like many youth in foster care, suffered from a lot of trauma and neglect, and thereby brought forth a lot of challenging behaviors. But Lauren committed to this young lady for three years and stuck by her side, especially when challenges seemed overwhelming. We are so grateful for Lauren and the ways she consistently showed up for Ty’shanna and for BEST Kids.
Together, Lauren and Ty’shanna are both very goal-oriented. Much of their past year was spent focusing on education which resulted in Ty’shanna enrolling in Excel Academy to earn her high school diploma this year. They enjoy many activities together. Sometimes when new mentors come to us, they are somewhat daunted thinking – ‘what do I do with my mentee?’ ‘Will I be fun enough for them?’ But with Lauren and Ty’shanna, they both claim that some of their best times together have been simply going for walks and talking. Lauren and Ty’shanna’s relationship embodies a sense of mutuality, consistency, and simply showing up that hope to emulate throughout our program.
Mentor of the Month
Jean-Pierre Plé – January 2020
Although JP and Lorenzo started their match only recently, they have been able to share many experiences and learn a lot about each other in that short time. JP has been a champion for Lorenzo's interests and loves to find resources to support Lorenzo's personal development. Once JP heard that Lorenzo was interested in practicing Kung Fu, he immediately found a place for Lorenzo to learn the martial art. They have quickly accomplished their goals together and continually make new ones. Lorenzo is currently mastering the use of chop-sticks! Their match is a great example of how mentors and mentees can have a great time while exploring new interests and learning new skills.
1. What’s your fondest memory from spending time with your mentee?
At our initial match meeting I learned that Lorenzo is very much into Kung Fu, and I was asked to help find a studio he could attend. I found a community-based non-profit Kung Fu studio on U Street, and twice a month on Saturday mornings I take him to class. It has been a joy watching him learn from a master the various Kung Fu poses and routines, and along the way he is developing self-confidence, discipline, physical development, and working with others.
2. What has been your favorite Peer Group?
The best Peer Group was the football event in the Fall of 2019. Lorenzo is very much into sports and it was great to see him enjoy himself and to see how he interacted with the other children. At the event close-out, he received a shout-out from one of the football coaches for his exceptional sportsmanship. This gave us an opportunity to talk about how it is much more important how you play the game than whether or lose.
3. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since becoming your mentee’s mentor?
Lorenzo and I maintain our “Ten Fun Things to Explore, Experience and Do Together” (which actually has 11 things on the list). One of the activities Lorenzo placed on the list is to learn how to fly a kite. I was never into kites as a kid, and frankly I am a little nervous as I have no real experience flying a kite. I guess this will be something we learn together.
4. Can you explain your job and something you enjoy about your work?
My career is in the field of international ocean affairs, and I am with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Currently, a lot of my time supports a new international treaty for the Central Arctic Ocean, which was negotiated because the rapid loss of sea ice from a warming climate makes real the prospect of commercial fishing at some point in the future. The treaty is the first of its kind to take a precautionary approach to put in place requirements before any commercial fishing commences.
5. What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy photography, cooking and a whole host of outdoor activities such as sailing, cycling, backpacking, and sea kayaking.
6. What's your favorite food?
As I do a lot of multi-day backpacking, a hot meal at the end of a long day on the trail is most gratifying. While I often rely on freeze dried dinners because they offer variety and are light weight, nothing beats my trail-made couscous with curry chicken washed down with a beer cooled from a near-by stream.
Although JP and Lorenzo started their match only recently, they have been able to share many experiences and learn a lot about each other in that short time. JP has been a champion for Lorenzo's interests and loves to find resources to support Lorenzo's personal development. Once JP heard that Lorenzo was interested in practicing Kung Fu, he immediately found a place for Lorenzo to learn the martial art. They have quickly accomplished their goals together and continually make new ones. Lorenzo is currently mastering the use of chop-sticks! Their match is a great example of how mentors and mentees can have a great time while exploring new interests and learning new skills.
1. What’s your fondest memory from spending time with your mentee?
At our initial match meeting I learned that Lorenzo is very much into Kung Fu, and I was asked to help find a studio he could attend. I found a community-based non-profit Kung Fu studio on U Street, and twice a month on Saturday mornings I take him to class. It has been a joy watching him learn from a master the various Kung Fu poses and routines, and along the way he is developing self-confidence, discipline, physical development, and working with others.
2. What has been your favorite Peer Group?
The best Peer Group was the football event in the Fall of 2019. Lorenzo is very much into sports and it was great to see him enjoy himself and to see how he interacted with the other children. At the event close-out, he received a shout-out from one of the football coaches for his exceptional sportsmanship. This gave us an opportunity to talk about how it is much more important how you play the game than whether or lose.
3. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since becoming your mentee’s mentor?
Lorenzo and I maintain our “Ten Fun Things to Explore, Experience and Do Together” (which actually has 11 things on the list). One of the activities Lorenzo placed on the list is to learn how to fly a kite. I was never into kites as a kid, and frankly I am a little nervous as I have no real experience flying a kite. I guess this will be something we learn together.
4. Can you explain your job and something you enjoy about your work?
My career is in the field of international ocean affairs, and I am with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Currently, a lot of my time supports a new international treaty for the Central Arctic Ocean, which was negotiated because the rapid loss of sea ice from a warming climate makes real the prospect of commercial fishing at some point in the future. The treaty is the first of its kind to take a precautionary approach to put in place requirements before any commercial fishing commences.
5. What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy photography, cooking and a whole host of outdoor activities such as sailing, cycling, backpacking, and sea kayaking.
6. What's your favorite food?
As I do a lot of multi-day backpacking, a hot meal at the end of a long day on the trail is most gratifying. While I often rely on freeze dried dinners because they offer variety and are light weight, nothing beats my trail-made couscous with curry chicken washed down with a beer cooled from a near-by stream.
Current Mentor of the Month
Jean-Pierre Plé - January 2020
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Past Mentors of the Month |
2018 BESTie Awards
Mentor of the Year
Jeff Rubin
Rookie the Year
Andrea Cilliers
Most Mentoring Hours
Lauren Gilbertson
Longest Mentoring Match
Gail McCann
Educational Strides Award
Chris Perry
Life Skills Strides Award
Daina Eglitis
Caregiver Connection Award
Erin Powell
Go For the Goal Award
Jason Guffey
Best Reporter
Roxi ReevesBEST Kids Supporter
Jason Loewith
Advocacy Award
Deirdre Donahue
Most Consistent
Kathryn Gillon
Catherine Redfield
Socialization Strides Award
Jerry Casselano
Most Creative Outings
Julia Zur
Most Persistent
Brett Loyd
Barbara Fallon
Most Resilient
Vince Lampone2017 BEST Kids Awards Recipients
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 2018!
