Thank You to our Donors 

Elisabeth Booth Barton

Cartus Cares Foundation

Student Transportation of America

Traveling Chic Boutique

Union Savings Bank

New Mentor Recruitment Boehringer Ingelheim invited DSABC to participate in their Wellness Fair on November 13th.  It was a wonderful opportunity to speak with BI employees about our mentoring programs and volunteer opportunities. Mentors Chanel Grant, Maria Palushaj, Matt DeNove and BI liaison Kelley Troccolo were on hand to share their mentoring experiences.

City of Danbury liaison and mentor, Karen Ledan,  organized a recruitment event at the Danbury Police Department on January 10th. We are grateful for Chief Ridenhour's support and his commitment to making a difference through mentoring. Officers Howley and Russotti helped our efforts by discussing their roles as DSABC mentors.

Mentor Spotlight

DSABC mentor program fosters appreciation

Mentor, student see results of patience and listening

By Robin Provey

"She said that I needed to improve and do better," said Christian, who also said he's more open-minded and less shy because of his relationship with a mentor. Even though Christian comes from a supportive family, he said a relationship with a mentor is different than with the other adults in his life.

"The title says everything. A mentor listens - they 'get' you. It's their job to listen and pay attention. Parents and teachers have a different job and they want you to do what they want you to do."

As a result of being able to express himself without discipline or judgment, Christian has grown to be more mature, responsive and appreciative, Cheng-Dexter said.

While their one-hour meetings at the school during the academic once centered around games such as Chutes and Ladders, Uno and Crazy Eights, the meetings this year are more focused on Christian's future - and educating Cheng-Dexter on the latest technology.

"He keeps me young showing me the latest apps," Cheng-Dexter said. "And we talk about his future beyond high school. I'm always encouraging him to do what he likes."

"I like history and am thinking of maybe becoming a professor," he said.

Cheng-Dexter immediately said that the biggest change in Christian over the past five years is that he's now taller than she. But upon deeper reflection, Cheng-Dexter said his biggest change is that he has learned a greater appreciation for the gifts in his life.

"He comes from a good family, and he knows he's lucky," she said. "It's good to see him appreciate things. He's very sweet and he's always respectful."

Cheng-Dexter doesn't like to take credit for Christian's positive growth and sometimes thinks he doesn't need a mentor anymore. But Christian says the relationship has given him more confidence and made him more open, and he thinks about things more clearly.

"I have seen through Christian that you can learn from a mentor to be a better person overall and appreciate things," said Cheng-Dexter. "But as a mentor I've learned things too: I've learned to be more patient and really listen to what he says. It's been great watching him grow into a young man."

Mentors Ed Dayton, Ken Decker and Beatrice Isaac pictured with their mentees.

Spreading Holiday Cheer  DSABC was happy to replenish some of the games, puzzles and crafts that mentors use with their students.  Thank you to the school liaisons  for your helpful suggestions!

Board News 

Welcome new Board Member - Maureen Decker

Thank you to our new Advisory Council Members, comprised of Danbury Public School 

staff who will help guide DSABC in improving our current programs, identifying 

areas where we may have an impact  and implementing new programs.  

Estela Camacho	Curtis Darragh	Doug Mottola
Carina Chelso	Marnie Durkin	Michelle Tarsi
Erin Daly	Gwen Gallagher	Leigh Viviano
Fallon Daniels	Ida Lucarelli	John Webber

March

12 - One Hour Early Release

26 - One Hour Early Release

Link to Danbury Public Schools 2018-2019 Calendar