Good Buddies

I’m so glad that you have been my CAP for this long time. I needed someone like you to help me get along with Middle School. You are a great person and I trust you! Thank you very much! You make my day happy!
Your good buddy…
— 7th Grade CAP Student’s Thank You Card to her mentor

Friends Forever

Thank you for being my cap, I hope you will be my cap for 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th grade and I hope you can be my helper when I’m an old man. You make the world a better place to be.
best to you…
— 6th Grade Cap Student’s Thank You Card to His Mentor

Best Friends

My Cap pal and I sat down to play our weekly games. As we play, we chat about his weekend, school, and family. He tells me about his social life saying, “I have two best friends; George, who is in the other kindergarten and you.” Before I can lift my jaw back off the floor, he includes, “maybe you can come to my house to play sometime.” I adore my CAP pal!

Making Memories

Thank you for coming every friday to see me. You make me feel special and smart. Remeber I’ll call you this summer to go out for a day or something. Your the best Menter ever!
—5th Grade CAP Student’s Thank You Card

Dr. Bob

“Jim” was originally referred to CAP in the second grade. He was recovering from serious health issues including cancer. He was struggling with peers and academics. The teachers reported that he had very little confidence because of his health issues and difficulties with speech. “Dr. Bob” who was a retired physician was chosen as Jim’s mentor because he would be comfortable with Jim’s health issues and would be able to talk to him about them. They bonded quickly and Jim always felt comfortable talking with Dr. Bob. They played games, worked on homework and just talked. Jim’s health improved and the match worked on his confidence with peers. Dr. Bob spent time teaching Jim how to play chess. It was a good way to work on academics and social skills with Jim. In the fourth grade Dr. Bob worked with Jim’s teacher to arrange a classroom chess tournament. The teacher had Jim and Dr. Bob teach the rest of the class how to play chess. This allowed Jim to be a leader in the classroom and did wonders for his confidence. Jim will always struggle with academics but now in the 5th grade his teacher reported that he is average in Math and is still improving steadily in reading and writing. Jim loves his Dr. Bob.

Last year CAP received this note with a donation from Jim’s mother.

“This donation is in honor of Dr. Bob. He took our son on in 2nd grade when Jim was at his lowest. Jim felt “stupid and alone” and dreaded school. Dr. Bob did a great job mentoring him and in particular teaching him chess which opened up a whole new avenue of thinking about himself. CAP is a wonderful program.”

Our Progress

Tate and I were reading in the classroom on bean bags. The book was about mammals. It was the first time I saw him get excited. It was a book he really enjoyed so he actually wanted to read it and I didn’t have to bug him to read to me. He was really happy and didn’t beg me to go play a game. It was great progress!

A Generous Mentor

A mentor at Hawthorne gave $100 to the lunch program for those children who had no money for the afternoon “snack.” (Afternoon snacks are not covered by the free or reduced lunch program.)