You have the power to transform young lives

The power of one, the power of one-to-one and the power of one-to-many have been apparent in so many of the transformations I've witnessed in the service people provide to enhance our communities. Each month, I write this column with passion, trying to pass on to anyone who will listen to what I call the best-kept secret of the rich. It's called community involvement. I am even more passionate to share this when I see an opportunity for people to get involved and the benefits are transparent. When it's clearly a no-brainer, the door is open; we just have to walk through it.

I found one such opportunity a few weeks ago. I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Maureen J. Quinn at the NAACP honoree reception to kick off the organization's 100th anniversary banquet. After speaking with Ms. Quinn, I found out that for the past 16 years, she has shepherded hundreds of students through a one-to-one mentor program. The mission of the program, Science Mentors 1 to 1, is to develop competency and self-esteem in high school students who predominately come from Trenton. The program teaches the application of the scientific method to environmental issues facing our society. Volunteer mentors come from corporations, government and small businesses. They are scientists, artists, real estate agents, researchers, statisticians, engineers, artists, farmers and stay-at-home mothers and fathers.

These mentors are matched with a high school student, and together, they choose the environmental challenge they want to research together. The mentor guides the student through six months of research and hands-on experiments, which they then integrate into an elementary school lesson that the student teaches to a grade school class. In addition to the research and teaching, the student interviews experts in his/her field and completes the core program with a project at a science fair, to which his or her family, friends and supporters are invited.

Transforming young people's lives is an extraordinary goal for the mentors. They selflessly give of themselves for two hours a week over a six-month period. Quinn tells of the mentors' humility, dedication and perseverance. (After all, they are working with teenagers). The outcomes are profound because 85 percent of the students, many of whom face huge obstacles, go on to pursue higher education. Many of the mentors stay in touch with their students long after they finish the project. The mentors have proudly seen them graduate college, get married and even have children of their own.

You, my wonderful readers, can use your power of one to transform a life. I suspect you are saying that you do not have the background needed. Not true: Many mentors began with doubts, but they heard the call of Gandhi, who said, "No matter how insignificant what you do may seem, it is important that you do it." The ultimate reality is that no gift of self is ever insignificant.

The program has faced abundant and lean times, but the echo heard throughout the years comes from Amrai Desai: "I have not come to teach you, I have come to love you and love will teach you."

So this is another opportunity for you to get involved. If your heart is moved, become a mentor and experience your power to transform a young life.

You can find out about the program by visiting www.sciencementors.org or e-mail questions to njenquinn@aol.com.

Phyllis Holly-Ward is a community activist and the president of Success Links LLC, a personal and professional development company. She can be reached at (609) 695-9455. Look for Community Matters every first Sunday of the month. The column will highlight quality of life issues and activities.