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Archive for July, 2008

Once a student decides to drop out, they really don’t realize how that decision will radically affect not only their own life, but the life of so many for so many years to come.  I do want to continue to be aware and then take it a step further with students that I work with that are at risk of dropping out.  I can easily see them and know their struggles.  I need to put them higher on my radar. 

Topics: Dropouts | No Comments »

Mentors, volunteers and teachers, we want to hear your stories. Take a moment to tell us a story about how you were able to successfully build a strong relationship with a kid. What was the kid like when you met? What did you do to build a relationship? How did you see the kid change?

Also, tell us stories of how a connection with a teacher, friend or community member made a positive difference in your life, or in the life of someone you know. We hope to collect these stories and add them to the course on this site.

Thanks in advance for sharing these with us.

Topics: BACK TO SCHOOL, Mentor Stories, Questions | No Comments »

Deborah Romerein  is a volunteer who teaches what she knows. And she is making a difference. For more than five years, Deborah, a former stockbroker and financial consultant has had a goal – to share her knowledge about  how to survive and even flourish financially in today’s confusing culture where “debt is the most aggressively marketed product.”

Deborah designed a course, SMART MONEY, to teach the kids she works with (incarcerated youth) how to avoid the traps of debt, predatory “deals,” and how to develop and cultivate the habits needed to achieve true wealth and financial peace of mind. She also offers participants a road map of how to get started handling money, and teaches them strategies they can use to set and reach personal goals.

Deborah does this because she has “every hope and expectation that the process of learning personal money management skills” will help the young men she works with to discover personal strengths and an “expanded view of how they see themselves and what they can accomplish.”

Deborah is just one example of ‘regular’ people who are doing extraordinary things for kids at risk. She not only volunteers her time and knowledge, but she connects with every kid – encourages them to believe in themselves, and most of all – she encourages them to LEARN – not only about money and finances – but about the world around them, and all that it holds for them. When Deborah comes to volunteer, she brings books, films, ideas, information, and connections to other subjects, and other people. Most of all, she brings herself. Her warmth, her caring and her hope for a better future.

I just thought you’d like to know.

If you’d like to know more, or receive the details of her Smart Money classes contact Deborah at romerein@spiritone.com

Topics: Mentor Stories | No Comments »