Strive Fall Retreat Provides Training, Promotes Bonding

Now in its fifth full year, STRIVE – CALM’s one-on-one mentoring program for high school boys – has settled into a predictable rhythm: training new mentors and recruiting new students in August, kicking the school year off with a cookout in September, having an overnight retreat for all students and mentors in October, going on a college visit on Election Day, and a throwing a party to celebrate the students’ successes in December. In between, students meet with their mentors on a weekly basis and talk about life: hopes for the future, present challenges, current goals and the steps to reach them, what it means to follow Jesus, family issues, etc. All of this and more are an effort to support the boys throughout high school, to see them graduate, go on to college or career, and become responsible and productive adults who support their families and themselves.

This year’s student-mentor retreat occurred October 14-15. Originally the idea of a STRIVE mentor four years ago, the semiannual retreat continues to be a popular activity where participants and volunteers strengthen their bonds and make lasting memories. As has become our custom, we loaded up the minibus on Friday evening for the half-hour jaunt to idyllic WatermarksCamp in Scottsville, arriving just in time for dinner. This year we brought eight students, four mentors, and for the first time, a guest speaker. After dinner and some free time, mentor and Trinity Presbyterian Church Pastoral Resident DJ Carter led the group in a devotional on John 3:16. The group then engaged in friendly competition in a series of field games, before concluding the evening making s’mores around a fire pit.

Saturday morning began with breakfast, followed by an exercise in communication led by author, trainer, and former CALM employee Eddie Howard. Afterward, students and mentors separated for breakout sessions. Inspired by a sermon by Geoff Maurer from Christ Community Church, I talked with the boys about responsible use of technology. Using 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 as a base (“those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them”), I noted that Americans spend an average of 10.5 hours per day looking at screens. All (myself included) admitted to struggling with this, and we discussed practical steps to keep God at the forefront of our minds. One student shared that he keeps his devotional bible on his dresser next to his lotion, so he always remembers to do his daily reading after his morning shower.

Meanwhile, Eddie spoke with mentors about how to connect with their students, build trust, nurture them, and empower them. The mentors asked questions like how to talk about potentially painful family situations (e.g. absentee fathers) with their students. Speaking from a wealth of experience and wisdom, Eddie responded that many young men are just waiting for someone to ask them about their pain, which is why it’s crucial for mentors to develop a close relationship with their student. Doing so allows mentors to broach delicate but important subjects, supporting their student not just physically, but emotionally as well.

Following a hearty lunch and more free time, the students and mentors engaged in a spirited battle of paintball. Some were first timers, some were veterans, but all enjoyed themselves in games like Capture the Flag and Zombie Apocalypse. All good things must come to an end though, so after cleaning our weapons, we gathered lakeside, took photos to commemorate the weekend, and boarded the bus home.

Back Row, from Left: Javier, Richard, Appiton, Jerry, Dylan.
Front Row: Majestic, Telik, Cardale, Cameron, Donshea.

Partnership with Clayborne Education Helps Strive Students Reach Their Potential

I wrote the following article for Abundant Life's Winter 2015 newsletter. You may view the full newsletter here.

When the satisfied parent of a Clayborne Education customer approached its founder and longtime Abundant Life volunteer Clay Daniel about funding a scholarship for a student less able to afford personalized test prep services, Daniel didn’t hesitate.  He contacted Strive coordinators Dylan Rosenthal and Richard Feero and asked if there was a senior in the mentoring program who could benefit from such an offer.

Dylan and Richard identified Hannibal “Hamp” Reid, a responsible but slightly below average student who had seen his grades rise modestly after his first year in Strive. Dylan approached Hannibal and his parents about Clayborne’s offer: two diagnostic tests and ten tutoring sessions, valued at $900, completely free thanks to the generosity of an anonymous foundation. Facing the prospect of giving up his free time on Saturdays, Hannibal weighed the offer but decided to embrace the challenge.

Hannibal, Malik, and LA, three of Strive's five Class of 2015 seniors, at Charlottesville High School's graduation.

Hannibal started with Clayborne in the fall of 2014 by taking both a practice SAT and ACT, to see which test played better to his strengths. Clayborne determined that Hannibal was better suited for the ACT, and his subsequent tutoring sessions focused on its material and strategies. After the completion of the course in December, Hannibal took the ACT. His progress was stunning; he improved by four points, which is the equivalent of 180 points on the SAT!

Armed with his higher ACT score and earning his best grades yet in high school with the support of his Strive mentor Jed Metge, Hannibal applied to Virginia Union University, Ferrum University, and his dream school, Old Dominion University.  Hannibal received acceptances to each one, except ODU, where he was waitlisted. His prayers were answered when a month later he received admittance to Old Dominion!

As Metge recalls, "We had been meeting every week for months, and each week we would pray for college applications: to trust God with the process and to ask Him to open doors. So to be with Hamp and his family after the acceptance letter came from ODU was a joy that is hard to capture. But what will stick with me forever was being with Hamp as he articulated -- God made this happen. God heard and answered me."

Now enjoying his first semester of college, Hannibal says, “Thanks to Strive, I have learned to become a very organized individual.  Clayborne gave me the confidence and preparation I needed to become successful.  I would not have found Clayborne without Strive.”

Says Daniel, himself a Strive mentor: "It was a great pleasure to see the way Hannibal took to the skills and strategies I imparted to him. He is a bright kid with great promise, and just needed some familiarity with the way standardized tests present their content. I'm grateful to have helped such a tremendous young man, and I look forward to more opportunities to help Strive students achieve their dreams."

Pleased with the outcome of Hannibal’s scholarship, the foundation has again offered a scholarship for Clayborne services to a Strive student. We hope that this unique three-way partnership between CALM, Clayborne, and the foundation continues bearing fruit for years to come.