Gayle's Story
When Marlene, a Communities In Schools volunteer, first met Gayle, she had one goal: help Gayle pass middle school. Gayle had failing grades, low self-esteem, and was challenged by physical handicaps and significant learning disabilities. Each week Marlene would meet Gayle at school for lunch. They went on nature walks, worked on sewing projects, and visited art museums. Soon Gayle’s grades began to climb. After four years together, Gayle has worked to overcome her challenges and is making A's and B's. She has gained self-confidence and public speaking skills and is preparing for college. "Marlene keeps telling other people how much I have achieved," says Gayle. "I’m not sure if she realizes that a lot of it is because of her."
CIS Mentor, Marlene Bartam and Gayle
How A Mentor Changed My Life
When Communities In Schools volunteer, Marlene, first met Gayle, she had one goal: help Gayle graduate from middle school. In eighth grade for the second time, Gayle struggled with failing grades, low self-esteem, and little belief that she could succeed. Gayle was also challenged by physical handicaps, attention deficit disorder, and significant learning disabilities.
Each week Marlene would meet Gayle at school for lunch. Soon Gayle’s grades began to climb, and she made it successfully through the eighth grade. Their friendship continued as they went on nature walks, worked on sewing projects, and visited art museums. "It’s just living," says Marlene.
Now, four years from when they first met, Marlene cannot believe the young woman that Gayle has become. A junior in high school, Gayle has worked to overcome her learning disabilities and other challenges, and is making A's and B's. She has gained self-confidence and public speaking skills and is very involved in the community. Gayle recently wrote two grants for Communities In Schools. She publicly defended these grants and was able to increase support for CIS. Gayle has even signed up to become a mentor for another child through Communities In Schools!
"Marlene keeps telling other people how much I have grown up and what I have achieved," says Gayle. "I’m not sure if she realizes that a lot of it is because of her."
