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
Fountane Chan - September 2020
Fountane and Jessica have been matched for just 7 months and already have an amazing bond. When Fountane applied to become a mentor in our program she was excited to get the process started and hit the ground running! Fountane’s bubbly and positive spirit went well with Jessica’s fun personality but she understood that Jessica not only needed a friend to do fun things with but someone she could share her thought’s and feelings with. As great as their match started, it hit a halt when in-person outings were no longer allowed due to the pandemic. While other matches went into this new normal with a built foundation, Fountane and Jessica still had to build it. Fountane quickly found ways to consistently connect virtually with Jessica. This led to Jessica becoming more and more comfortable every time they spoke. Fountane’s consistency not only helped their bond blossom but she continued to support and empower Jessica as she began to share her thoughts more often. Fountane continues to be this support system for Jessica all while consistently attending monthly trainings, mentor happy hours and most importantly being a friend and confidant for Jessica.
1. What’s your fondest memory from spending time with your mentee?
After an afternoon kayaking, we picked up Jessica’s favorite food—shrimp—and headed to a nearby park to enjoy each other’s company. The restaurant we went to didn’t have the sauce she wanted, but she was undeterred. She gathered a collection of available sauces and turned the park bench into her very own kitchen. As she was finding the perfect ratio of ingredients, we began talking about our past, present, and future. I just remember sitting there in awe as she described her future goals, which were informed by her past experiences, and what she was going to do now to attain those goals. Her maturity and tenacity are unlike that of any other teenager I’ve met and I’m grateful to be in her presence as she overcomes the next set of challenges she is presented with. I have a lot to learn from her.
2. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since becoming your mentee’s mentor?
Jessica and I only met in person twice before the pandemic. It takes time to form a connection that can be stably maintained through virtual mentoring and we were still in the process of getting to know and trust each other. So it was difficult trying to find ways to cultivate comfort and build trust through activities that we both liked to do. But even when we were just talking about potential games or activities that we wanted to engage in, we were in the process of strengthening our relationship, and when it was finally time to see each other again, we warmed up to each other quickly.
3. Can you explain your job and something you enjoy about your work?
I am a post-baccalaureate research fellow at the National Institutes of Health, investigating the regulation of a gene complex important for neurodevelopment. I love waking up excited to go to work each morning because I get to use my curiosity to explore interesting biological questions and share my findings and passion for science with others.
4. What do you like to do in your free time?
During my free time, my dogs keep me company as I cook, play music, and learn about world through reading, documentaries, and conversations with others.
Fountane and Jessica have been matched for just 7 months and already have an amazing bond. When Fountane applied to become a mentor in our program she was excited to get the process started and hit the ground running! Fountane’s bubbly and positive spirit went well with Jessica’s fun personality but she understood that Jessica not only needed a friend to do fun things with but someone she could share her thought’s and feelings with. As great as their match started, it hit a halt when in-person outings were no longer allowed due to the pandemic. While other matches went into this new normal with a built foundation, Fountane and Jessica still had to build it. Fountane quickly found ways to consistently connect virtually with Jessica. This led to Jessica becoming more and more comfortable every time they spoke. Fountane’s consistency not only helped their bond blossom but she continued to support and empower Jessica as she began to share her thoughts more often. Fountane continues to be this support system for Jessica all while consistently attending monthly trainings, mentor happy hours and most importantly being a friend and confidant for Jessica.
1. What’s your fondest memory from spending time with your mentee?
After an afternoon kayaking, we picked up Jessica’s favorite food—shrimp—and headed to a nearby park to enjoy each other’s company. The restaurant we went to didn’t have the sauce she wanted, but she was undeterred. She gathered a collection of available sauces and turned the park bench into her very own kitchen. As she was finding the perfect ratio of ingredients, we began talking about our past, present, and future. I just remember sitting there in awe as she described her future goals, which were informed by her past experiences, and what she was going to do now to attain those goals. Her maturity and tenacity are unlike that of any other teenager I’ve met and I’m grateful to be in her presence as she overcomes the next set of challenges she is presented with. I have a lot to learn from her.
2. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since becoming your mentee’s mentor?
Jessica and I only met in person twice before the pandemic. It takes time to form a connection that can be stably maintained through virtual mentoring and we were still in the process of getting to know and trust each other. So it was difficult trying to find ways to cultivate comfort and build trust through activities that we both liked to do. But even when we were just talking about potential games or activities that we wanted to engage in, we were in the process of strengthening our relationship, and when it was finally time to see each other again, we warmed up to each other quickly.
3. Can you explain your job and something you enjoy about your work?
I am a post-baccalaureate research fellow at the National Institutes of Health, investigating the regulation of a gene complex important for neurodevelopment. I love waking up excited to go to work each morning because I get to use my curiosity to explore interesting biological questions and share my findings and passion for science with others.
4. What do you like to do in your free time?
During my free time, my dogs keep me company as I cook, play music, and learn about world through reading, documentaries, and conversations with others.
Current Mentor of the Month
Fountane Chan - September 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!
