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
Monique Dessaso - October 2019
Monique and Kemmy have been matched for 8 months. The two of them have bonded beyond belief. The two of them have started a book group. They read books together and use their time together to discuss and share perspectives on the book. During the months of September and October they have attended several community events that allowed Kemmy to be exposed to positive role models. She also was able to create care packages for individuals who are at the southern border. Monique is Mentor of the month because she goes over and beyond with the amount of time she spends with her mentee. She is someone Kemmy can really depend on.
1. What’s your fondest memory from spending time with your mentee?
My fondest memory with Kemmy happened about three months after our match. We happen to have a lot in common and I often tell her that she reminds me of myself when I was her age. We were still getting to know each other. While we were out someone asked if we were sisters. Kemmy laughed and responded that it feels like we’re sisters. And it really does. My sister sometimes joins our outings and it really feels like three sisters hanging out together. I’m just really happy that Kemmy is happy with our match.
2. What has been your favorite Peer Group?
Kemmy never wants to attend peer group so we haven’t been to one yet. I’ll do a better job of trying to coax her to attend.
3. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since becoming your mentee’s mentor?
Surprisingly Kemmy and I have not had any real challenges. We clicked right from the beginning and things have gone well since.
4. Can you explain your job and something you enjoy about your work?
I currently work as an attorney at a law firm downtown. I love that my job allows me the flexibility to take on an occasional pro bono case and that it allows me time to travel.
5. What do you like to do in your free time, and what's your favorite food?
I love to read and travel. Kemmy really loves to read as well so we often read books together. My favorite food is pizza...but only cheese pizza!
Monique and Kemmy have been matched for 8 months. The two of them have bonded beyond belief. The two of them have started a book group. They read books together and use their time together to discuss and share perspectives on the book. During the months of September and October they have attended several community events that allowed Kemmy to be exposed to positive role models. She also was able to create care packages for individuals who are at the southern border. Monique is Mentor of the month because she goes over and beyond with the amount of time she spends with her mentee. She is someone Kemmy can really depend on.
1. What’s your fondest memory from spending time with your mentee?
My fondest memory with Kemmy happened about three months after our match. We happen to have a lot in common and I often tell her that she reminds me of myself when I was her age. We were still getting to know each other. While we were out someone asked if we were sisters. Kemmy laughed and responded that it feels like we’re sisters. And it really does. My sister sometimes joins our outings and it really feels like three sisters hanging out together. I’m just really happy that Kemmy is happy with our match.
2. What has been your favorite Peer Group?
Kemmy never wants to attend peer group so we haven’t been to one yet. I’ll do a better job of trying to coax her to attend.
3. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since becoming your mentee’s mentor?
Surprisingly Kemmy and I have not had any real challenges. We clicked right from the beginning and things have gone well since.
4. Can you explain your job and something you enjoy about your work?
I currently work as an attorney at a law firm downtown. I love that my job allows me the flexibility to take on an occasional pro bono case and that it allows me time to travel.
5. What do you like to do in your free time, and what's your favorite food?
I love to read and travel. Kemmy really loves to read as well so we often read books together. My favorite food is pizza...but only cheese pizza!
Current Mentor of the Month
Monique Dessaso - October 2019
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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!
