N E W S L E T T E R        Fall  2018

   Director's Message
 
Dear Friends of DSABC,

The 2018 -2019 school year is well underway and DSABC is thrilled to welcome our returning mentors as well as many new volunteers. While nineteen new mentors joined the program this fall, there are still students in all grade levels who would benefit from a positive one-on-one relationship with a caring adult.   We are off to a great start thanks to our Business Liaisons who actively promote DSABC within their companies, our School Liaisons who diligently worked to get our mentors going this year and even enticed some new volunteers, as well as our mentors who enthusiastically share their stories which is a tremendous source of recruitment.

DSABC continues to explore rebranding. We spent last year assessing how we can best support Danbury Public School students and the community and plan to evaluate new programs through which we can better provide that support. This year, our goal is to develop a new brand that best captures who DSABC is. We have collaborated with a marketing class at Western Connecticut State University to conduct research this semester to collect input on specific names and taglines. As part of this process, these students will be interviewing various stakeholders to gather data for the project. We are thankful to have a number of willing participants - please let us know if you would like the opportunity to express your opinion.

DSABC will again be working with the Danbury Early College Opportunity (DECO) program to support an internship plan providing Danbury High School students participating in DECO, the opportunity to gain valuable work experience at area businesses and community organizations. Building from the success of last year, students are seeking internships that could incorporate general business skills or a specialization in technology.   If you would like more information regarding the program or if your company or community organization is interested in hiring a student intern, please contact us.

All of this is made possible through your continued support of DSABC. I wish you an enjoyable and rewarding year of mentoring!

Kind regards,

Ellen

Ellen Meyst
DSABC Executive Director



Back to School Supply Drive
Danbury Hospital helps students prepare for the new school year
The Information Desk department at Danbury Hospital collected funds to purchase school supplies that they generously donated to students participating in the DSABC One-on-One Mentoring Program.   Kay Reed and Michael Ferguson, from Danbury Hospital, delivered the supplies to students at Broadview Middle School, Great Plain School, Morris Street School and Westside Middle School.


 Highlights from the Year-end Survey  

100% of  elementary school students liked having their mentor
Activity with mentor they most enjoyed
Playing games - 82.7%
 Talking together - 31%
Having lunch together - 24.1%
 Reading - 0%
 School work/homework - 0%

What other activities would elementary students like to do with their mentor?
Have more fun time with him.
 I like playing the games and talking. He makes up funny things to talk about.
Would like for her to meet grandma. I think they would like each other a lot. 
No. It's perfect what he does
Have him next year.

100% of middle and high school students liked having their mentor

Reasons why students want their mentor next year:
I always look forward to seeing her. She is someone I could always talk to if I needed her. 
Because I like meeting with her - she's funny and just amazing.
Because he helps me, supports me, and gives me courage.
Because she listens to me, she doesn't judge, and she gives me good advice.
Because having a mentor makes me feel happy and have a better life.

How students would like their mentor to support them in reaching goals:
My mentor already has. She makes me happy and gives me good advice.
Just encourage me.
By motivating and supporting me.
Just the way he is now by entrusting me and giving me the courage to do better.
Same as now, give me advice when I need it and just support the decisions I make in general.

Personal qualities that students like or admire about their mentor:
She is very kind and helpful. She is also very generous, and her advice is very good.
I like that he's funny and open to talk to and very, very supportive.
She listens and she's really funny.
I admire his spirit to get things done, his ability to keep strong in difficult situations
Kind, caring, supportive, active listener

100% of mentors felt their relationship with their mentee developed 
in a positive or neutral manner
A few changes in students observed by mentors last year:
She is taking her school work much more seriously and her grades have improved. 
She has come out of her shell. She's always happy to see me and we have formed a bond.
She's making plans for the future and seems a bit more focused.
More interactive and confident
Save the Date
Tuesday, November 27th, 2018
DSABC is participating in #GivingTuesday this year.  In addition to highlighting  the valuable gift of your time that you provide throughout the year,   we are selecting this day to raise funds to support our programs and  Danbury Public School students. 


#GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in countries around the world. Millions of people have come together to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.

Throwback to 2003
DSABC Breakfast - See any familiar faces?
Welcome New Mentors 

DSABC One-on-One Mentoring Program 

Caroline Chaves - Praxair, WCSU
Dewayne Dickens - Independent
Carole Eldridge - Independent
Loren Euvrard - Independent
Sofia Alva Garcia - WCSU
Chanel Grant - Boehringer Ingelheim
Allison Liggio - Praxair
Sarita McCrae - Cartus
Daniel Notaro - Leahy's Fuels
Maria Palushaj - Boehringer Ingelheim
Rita Patel - Cartus
Ken Previtali - Independent
Nicole Quatrella - CironeFriedberg, LLP
Joe Risole - UTC Aerospace
Aline Silva - Independent
Katie Stevenson - Independent
Betty Thoensen - Independent
Jacob Thomas - Independent
Kathleen Vieira - Entegris

Welcome Back Otto Williams - Cartus


WorkPlace Learning E-Mentoring Program

Kerry O'Mahony -   UTC Aerospace
Praxair Hosts a Mentor & Mentee Gathering
 

Praxair hosted their annual field trip on October 16th for students and mentors to get together at Praxair worldwide headquarters in Danbury. Nine students who participate in the DSABC program were eager to visit the office and join their mentors at work. Students learned about safety procedures, played games and enjoyed lunch in the cafeteria.  DSABC is grateful to Praxair for hosting this event each year and giving the students a glimpse into future careers and opportunities.



Praxair mentors Dawn Immohr, Allison Liggio, Rachelle Brice, Madhu Sinha, Mila Park, Lauren Casey, Sanaa Almarayati, Ralph Mancini and Nina Caraluzzi spend time with their mentees.




Thank You to our Donors 
Fairfield County Community Foundation
People's United Community Foundation
Pitney Bowes Foundation
Praxair
Wells Fargo Advisors

Calendar Watch


November

1, 2, 5, 7 - Parent Teacher Conferences - Early Dismissal - Elementary & Middle Schools
6 - Professional Development - Schools Closed
12 - Veterans' Day - Schools Closed
13 - One Hour Early Release
21 - Early Dismissal
22, 23 - Thanksgiving Recess - Schools Closed
27 - One Hour Early Release

December
11 - One Hour Early Release
18 - One Hour Early Release
21 - Early Dismissal
24 - 31 - Holiday Recess - Schools Closed

Shop for DSABC
As we approach the busy holiday season, please consider shopping on AmazonSmile.  Every time you do,  the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to DSABC.
Simply go to smile.amazon.com and select DSABC as your charity!



Mentor Round Table
Mentoring is not always easy.  Many of you have asked for the opportunity to meet with other mentors in an informal setting to discuss your experience in the program, challenges you may be facing and collectively share possible solutions.  So, following the lead set by our friends at Cartus, DSABC will be holding a Mentor Round Table in November.  All mentors are welcome to attend.  Please keep an eye out for additional details and registration information.
DSABC Board News
Welcome New Board Members

Ralph Mancini
Many Thanks to Departing Members

Nelson Merchan
We want to hear from YOU!
In order to make our newsletter as relevant and interesting as possible, we need 
YOUR input for future publications.   Share your mentoring stories, tell us why you 
became a mentor or let us know how your company supports mentoring. 
We are always looking for volunteers for our Mentoring Spotlight stories!
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The Mission of DSABC is to Help Danbury Public School Students Achieve Personal and Academic Success.

Our Tool: School Based Mentoring

DSABC is a 501 (c) 3 Charitable Organization. Please consider supporting our mentoring and scholarship programs .