Editorial

Editorial C. RON ALLEN PEDRO HEIZER MICHAEL DEMYAN

MICHAEL DEMYAN CHARLOTTE BEASLEY PAMALA WEINROTH

The Boca Raton Tribune

Founded January 15, 2010 DOUGLAS HEIZER, Publisher

Our Writers/Reporters and Columnists

SYNESIO LYRA ROBERT WEINROTH BRYANNA BASILLO

JAY VAN VECHTEN JESSICA DEL VECCHIO KENNY SPAHN Online Edition PEDRO HEIZER DINI HEIZER Business DOUGLAS HEIZER GABRIELA HEIZER

EDITORIAL

By: C. Ron Allen It Only Takes One Dedic ated Mentor to Shape a Child’s Future

‘The children are our future.’ We often say those words, but what if a child takes a wrong turn in life, becomes ensnared in crime, drug-addiction or suicide and self-destruction? If children are truly our future, then we adults owe them a helping hand in shaping it. We can do so through mentoring.

As a children’s advocate and founder of the KOP Mentoring Network here in Palm Beach County, I believe every young person needs a caring adult mentor to provide encouragement and support to succeed in school and in life. Many of us have the power to truly impact their future by simply showing up as a caring friend and mentor.

We have seen the benefits of mentoring in addressing our schools’ graduation rates, which, have been increasing in recent years here in South Florida and across the nation. In what can only be described as good news, the Palm Beach County School District again has a graduation rate that has outperformed other large school districts in Florida. More public-school students are graduating than ever as the district’s graduation rate rose from 90 percent in 2017 to 91.7 percent in 2018.

The improvement is due in part to adult volunteers who have come forward to help poorly performing students stay on track academically. Nationally, one-third of all high schools provide mentors to their students, which amounts to one in 10 high school students, according to an U.S. Department of Education analysis. The study showed “some signifi cant evidence” that sug gests programs that provide high school students adult volunteers may help students stay in school.

At KOP Mentoring Network, we see the fruits of mentoring in our Oratorical, STRE2AM2, and Wealth Building and Entrepreneurship programs. Some of our students come from homes that have incarcerated parents or guardians. Without intervention these children are more likely to follow that same path. While our mentors help build student academic skills, the underlying theme for us is making our students see that someone cares enough to be there and expects the best from them.

Our mentors are ordinary people who serve as advisers and teachers. They are motivators and role models, who believe in the students we work with. We see the potential and work hard in helping students get to where they want to go. The youngsters participating in the KOP Monitoring Network are less likely to use drugs and alcohol and less likely to skip school. They are more confi dent in their academic performance, and they are better able to get along with their families. In short, our mentors are making a difference, a real impact in the lives of the youngsters they serve.

The children are our future, but to quote another well-known adage about the harvest being plentiful but the laborers are few. There are still far too many of our young people who lack the support and the tools to succeed in school and in life. Despite the best efforts of the many men and women who ser ve as mentors and the agencies that support them, much more can be accomplished with the help of more dedicated volunteers. It only takes one caring mentor to shape a child’s future.

Humans have been fashioned, and put into the world by the creator as social creatures. As such, they are not to live in isolation from one another, but to be mindful of their fellows, in g ood times and bad. Blessed are those who recognize this tr uth and fulfi ll what this reality demands!

There’s no question that caution requires that we don’t get involved too easily with anyone, for anything. Yet, there are enough individuals in any society who give enough indications of their reliability and who are also open to the courtesies and genuine love expressed to them, even by strangers! It’s most heart-warming to see reports on television of unique, tragic circumstances through which

POSITIVE LIVING

By: Dr. Synesio Lyra Dr ying One Another ’s Tears

an individual or family may undergo, and to contemplate the outpouring of support in manifold ways, from countless persons who sympathize with the plight of another.

Several years ago I was attracted to a book on account of its title, “Tear Catchers.” By reading its compelling message I also learned it was the name of an organization, founded by the book’s author to provide a simple, yet most signifi cant service.

The key idea was to be ready to befriend others going through sad moments and lending a shoulder to cry, a compassionate ear to listen, and eyes ever alert to the needs of others, because there’s always something one can do to diminish misery, and personally (not intrusively) get involved in situations where tears can be dried up, and solutions found and provided to varied rough experiences faced by others.

I never forgot what impressed me greatly at some point during my childhood, when an organized group of people in the large city where I resided, took upon themselves to scan several of the daily newspapers, looking for families who had undergone some tragedy, or lost a loved one, or who were reported as experiencing some tough situation in life.

The amazing result of that communal project, was establishing immediate contact with the needy family, by phone or in person, to inquire from them more fully regarding what could be done for them in their diffi culty. That act itself, through the concern shown, were factors that right away diminished the pain being faced by an individual or family. What started as an experiment in expressing, loving kindness, became an ongoing effort of communal compassion, until conditions improved and the help was no longer needed.

Such altr uism still has a place in any society, for any city or town, regardless of its size, has countless persons daily shedding tears who will welcome those “tear catchers” or others who can take an interest in their condition and do whatever is within their power. And as you do unto others, it shall also be done unto you at your time of need!