CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
A commander from Charleston AFB helped initiate a new community outreach program at Lambs Elementary School in North Charleston earlier this year.
The Lambs Mentor Program, like a Big Brother Program, was designed to give some of Lambs' fourth and fifth grade boys a mentor to help focus on academics and relationship-building.
"Charleston has a very strong and mutual relationship with the community," said Capt. Brad Bowyer. "This relationship is necessary to ensure the enduring support and understanding the military community needs to operate effectively. Every chance we get to give back to our neighbors is an opportunity to strengthen this relationship."
Capts. Pablo Dieppa, Frankie Green and Brad Bowyer are currently mentors for students at Lambs. The mentors meet with their children for about an hour, once a week.
"It is a great way to interact with today's youth and be a helping factor in building a child's future, especially if the child has a similar past to your own," said Captain Dieppa.
At first, the program was designed specifically for one-on-one mentoring. As the mentors bond grew with the children, they began to spend more time together.
"The mentors started out as lunch buddies to our boys and sometimes stay for recess," said Victoria Stafford. "They help them build confidence and problem-solve. The boys have the opportunity to have fun with a responsible, caring adult."
The mentors like to take a personal interest in the children and try not to only interact with them in a learning environment, but on a personal level as well.
"This helps me establish a great trust and strong bond with each kid, thus helping me find more out about their life and activities outside of school," said Captain Dieppa. "I also tried to incorporate my Air Force career to maybe give these kids an idea on what they could do in the future."
"Beyond the benefits towards our community relations, the mentoring program is important for both the mentor and the children," said Captain Bowyer. "It allows you to make a difference in someone's life. You don't have to council someone; you just have to give them an outlet by giving them the attention they deserve. A lot of these kids don't have anybody to just vent their stresses to."
Captain Bowyer finds it rewarding to listen to his student, Ahmad, talk about his life and what goes on throughout his day at school.
"So far, Ahmad and I tend to primarily eat lunch together and hang out with either a few of his classmates in the guidance counselor's office or his entire class in the lunch room," said Captain Bowyer. "He is a very outgoing kid and enjoys the company of his friends. This gives me the opportunity to get to know some of the other kids in the class and spend a few minutes giving them an opportunity to talk about their lives."
For Captain Dieppa, reading and writing activities have become a priority when he goes to visit his students at Lambs.
"I allow them to interact and read to me," said Captain Dieppa. "Then we go over anything that gives them trouble or that they struggle with."
The program is new to the school this year and is a great way for Airmen to give something back to the community. Not only do mentors love going into the classrooms, but the students love hearing about the mentor's daily lives as well.
"The students love it when the mentors come into the room," said Mrs. Stafford. "The mentors have already developed close bonds with the boys and their classmates enjoy them. The pilots are very patient with all of their questions. I know the students miss them when they leave, but also enjoy hearing about what the mentors have done with their time since their previous visits."