For Berry Hinds, one of the best things about being a part of the Volunteer Impact Partners program is knowing he’s making a difference in young students’ lives.
Hinds, who volunteers at Sale Elementary School, is one of eight active volunteers in the program, which the Columbus Municipal School District and United Way of Lowndes County started this academic year.
Through the program, volunteers are placed in K-5 classes at CMSD’s elementary schools. United Way Volunteer Director Renee Sanders said they provide extra attention to students teachers might not can directly assist during the normal course of a class.
“What they’re doing is watching the class as a whole, seeing which one is a little bit slow of a reader and going to sit with that person,” Sanders said. “The one the teacher is constantly calling the name of to stop talking — go sit with that one. Listen to their stories when they come in and want to talk to someone.”
Hinds has volunteered more than 300 hours through the VIP program since the fall. He said he helps with all sorts of tasks, such getting computers up and going for students to go online or helping students one-on-one. The work, he said, has been rewarding.
“I had a situation (Tuesday) where I was helping one through some math, and suddenly the student turned to me and said ‘I can do this by myself,'” Hinds said. “He did it, and I told him that was one of the best things he’s told me when he said he could do it.
“The light bulb came on — the idea came on,” Hinds added. “The way the process really came together and they were able to go from there — you feel really good when you see something like that happen.”
Teacher Rebecca Day, with whom Hinds works often, said she’s been thrilled with his assistance because he works well and in-depth with her students.
“I think that Mr. Berry being in my room has really changed the dynamic of my classroom,” she said. “He’s always willing to do what I need him to do. Even if I don’t need him to do something, he just knows what’s needed, and it’s always about the students.”
Sanders said the volunteers’ impact isn’t limited the classroom.
“I’ve heard a lot of them say that kids see them out at Walmart and they’ll run up and give them a hug in the store,” Sanders said. “That’s when you know they’re making a very good impact.”
The program
United Way Executive Director Danny Avery said the VIP program is modeled after a national program called Foster Grandparents, which CMSD formerly used to bring in volunteers at Joe Cook School. He said CMSD Superintendent Philip Hickman reached out to United Way, which worked with the district to develop the VIP program for every elementary school.
Avery said he’s been pleased with the first year’s activities and results but is hoping for even more as the program grows.
“Our goal is ultimately to have 100 volunteers, or maybe even more to have some backups,” he said. “There are 100 classrooms in the K-5 range in CMSD.”
Sanders said United Way takes applications and screens candidates, noting CMSD also performs background checks on applicants, including fingerprinting. She said applicants also have to provide a letter from a physician saying they’re physically capable of serving as a volunteer.
United Way is looking for volunteers who are at least 40 years old, which Sanders acknowledged has drawn the ire of a few potential candidates.
“It’s so beneficial to have someone who has that life experience,” she said. “They bring something different to the table than a college student.”
Sanders said volunteers are asked to give at least four hours a week, and that can be divided into segments to fit volunteers’ schedules.
She also said it’s not too late for volunteers to join the program for this academic year. The end of the school year, with tests looming, can be an especially stressful time for teachers.
For more information on how to join the program, call United Way at 662-328-0943.
Being involved
Hickman said he’s happy to see the program drawing community support, and he hopes to see it continue to expand.
“Any time we can put nurturing adults in front of our children, it’s a good thing,” Hickman said. “That’s what this program does — it gives a child a chance to rub shoulders with good adults and good human beings.”
Aside from just helping teachers and students, Hickman said the program bringing community members into the schools helps give the volunteers a better idea of what those schools are doing and how they work.
Hinds, who actively attends school board and other public body meetings, agrees.
“Lots of people make comments on Facebook, the internet, in letters to the editor about the school system,” Hinds said. “The comments may or may not be valid, but what are you going to do to help make it change — to help improve the system?
“You get out of it what you put into it, and if the community doesn’t put in, they’re not going to get out what they’re expecting and the students don’t get out what they need,” Hinds later added. “The community loses out from that.”
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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