LAMP MENTOR/MENTEE SUCCESS STORIES:

Deacon Lawrence Coleman and Darvalease

Deacon Coleman has been a mentor to Darvalease beginning in April 2008.  Because of the trusting relationship that had developed, they both decided to continue the mentoring beyond the year’s commitment.  Deacon Coleman takes Darvalease out to lunch, to games, to church and many time s they just hang out. Being a retired sheriff, he even saw the advantage of taking him to a police station. Once the approval was granted, they spent the day at a lock-up observing the living conditions of the inmates.

This was an eye opening experience for Darvalease. The mentoring has definitely proven beneficial for Darvalease.  He earns excellent grades in school, has perfect attendance and has not been referred to the office for any acts of misconduct.  Darvalease says he wants to be a police officer when he grows up. Hes always ready and waiting to see his mentor and get involved in activities.

 Even though, hes just 5th grade, he helps his family by selling candy to bring in a few dollars.He is a very mannerable young man and we expect great things out of him. His caregiver is his grandmother, his mother is incarcerated.

Ms. Alfea Denise Gordon and Brianna

Ms. Gordon and Brianna have truly developed a lasting, trusting and mutually caring relationship. Brianna is an eleven year old student at Lawndale Community Academy.  They have visited Kiddy Land, Chucky Cheese, Brookfield Zoo, the movies and have gone out to lunch at McDonalds, Old Country Buffet, and the Chinese Buffet. Ms, Gordon purchased Brianna's school uniforms and gym shoes for her physical education class. They spend at least two hours, everyday after school doing homework and just talking.

Brianna now earns all A's and B's in school.  However, she cried after receiving a on her five week progress report in mathematics. She working extremely hard to bring that grade back up to an She also has perfect attendance in school. Brianna talks about her father frequently and her mother takes her to prison to visit him as often as possible. Her caregiver is her mother, her father is incarcerated.

Christina English and Dakira and Diamond

Diamond and Dakira are twins who were mentored by Christina Franklin for one year ending April 2008. They were six years old when the match was made. Christina and the twins decided to continue their relationship beyond the year’s commitment. They bonded from the beginning and loved going to the library, Pizza Hut, visiting parks in Oak Park and Oak Brook and shopping at malls, learning the skill of purchasing, paying for the items and receiving change.

Christina just hangs out at their house sometimes and they visit block club parties together. Dakira has become an honor roll student who loves school.  Diamond loves school, but does not make honor roll.  Christina helps her with her spelling, mathematics and reads books to them.  Diamond grades were " F's'" and "D's", however she now earns "C's".  The goal is to pull those “C’s” up to “B’s.” We are confident that with continued mentoring intervention she will achieve her goal.
Their caregiver is their grandmother, their mother is incarcerated.

Barbara Myles and Alexis

Barbara and Alexis were matched about six months ago.They bonded and developed a trusting relationship from the start.They have visited the Garfield Park Conservatory, libraries, have gone skating, have gone to see several movies (Alexis's favorite was a Tyler Perry Movie) ,The Gospel Soul Competition at United Center and Saturday Football games. However, Alexis loves to visit Sam's Club and shop or just look. Usually, their outing culminates in lunch at such places as TGI Friday. Alexis always wants to take part of her lunch home to share with her little sister. So, when they visit Sam's Club, Barbara buys her a pizza to take home and eat with the family.

Even though Barbara takes her to the library and helps with her homework, Alexis is still receiving grades of C in school.Therefore, Barbara has scheduled a conference with her teacher for today (October 13, 2009) to see what additional academic help she can provide for Alexis. Her school attendance is excellent. Alexis loves sharing her time with Barbara. Her mother (caregiver) indicates that Barbara could not reach them one week, (the phone was disconnected) and Alexis just sat quietly in her room and was depressed the entire week-end. When she saw Barbara, Alexis said I thought you had forgotten about me. 

Barbara and Alexis participated in the clean-up and beautification project that LAMP embarked on for the vacant lot on Homan and Harrison. People there thought they were mother and daughter. Alexis lives with her mother, her father is incarcerated.