Two Rock Coast Guard station provides much-needed mentors for kids in need at Roseland Elementary
BY DEREK J. MOORE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Responding to maritime emergencies and helping kids with their reading assignments present similar challenges.
They require attention to detail, for one thing, and an unselfish desire to help someone in need.
The ultimate payoff is saving a life, either literally or in the sense of plucking a kid from the wrong path and onto the road to success.
The staff at the Two Rock Coast Guard station near Petaluma have proven themselves capable of handling such distress calls, and for the 12th year, are partnering with Roseland Elementary School to help tutor students.
This year's class includes a record 22 volunteers, many of whom are juggling work with their own family needs.
"They're guardians. They want to help," Coast Guard Lt. John Bannon said.
He said the volunteer work at Roseland Elementary involves a collaboration between the Coast Guard's Partners in Education program and the Literacy Connection program offered by the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County.
Barbara Fisher, who coordinates the Volunteer Center's program, said she's never witnessed a greater need for tutors than this year, saying that teachers began contacting her this summer seeking help.
"This has been the most amazing outpouring of requests for help in the 11 years I've been doing this," Fisher said.
Literacy Connection connects volunteers to teachers and students in grades K-12 at schools throughout Sonoma County.
This year's list of Santa Rosa schools includes Brook Hill, Doyle Park, Monroe, Steele Lane, Lincoln and Lehman, as well as Kid Street Learning Center. The Bellevue School District also has openings.
Schools in almost every city are asking for volunteers to help kids with their reading, math and other assignments.
All volunteers are fingerprinted and must take a TB test, which is provided at no cost.
Volunteers learn the ropes in one two-hour training session, with specialized training for some reading programs and for algebra.
Volunteers are asked to commit to one full school year and two hours per week on a selected day. The volunteer chooses the day of the week and the time of day that they want to help.
To learn more, contact Fisher at 573-3399, ext. 122, or by e-mail at bfisher@volunteernow.org.
She heaped praise on the Coast Guard volunteers, saying many students crave male role models in their lives. The guard's volunteer ranks also include two women this year.
Bannon said Coast Guard volunteers last year donated 465 hours at Roseland Elementary, including some volunteers who averaged up to 50 hours every month.
He said Two Rock's commanding officer, Capt. Chris Hall, challenged the staff to step up for their communities this year. That call was answered.
"It's easy to come in and do your minimum work and go home," Bannon said. "We're going above and beyond that, and there are great results because of that."
You can reach Staff Writer Derek J. Moore at 521-5336 or derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com.
"They're guardians. They want to help," Coast Guard Lt. John Bannon said.
He said the volunteer work at Roseland Elementary involves a collaboration between the Coast Guard's Partners in Education program and the Literacy Connection program offered by the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County.
Barbara Fisher, who coordinates the Volunteer Center's program, said she's never witnessed a greater need for tutors than this year, saying that teachers began contacting her this summer seeking help.
"This has been the most amazing outpouring of requests for help in the 11 years I've been doing this," Fisher said.
Literacy Connection connects volunteers to teachers and students in grades K-12 at schools throughout Sonoma County.
This year's list of Santa Rosa schools includes Brook Hill, Doyle Park, Monroe, Steele Lane, Lincoln and Lehman, as well as Kid Street Learning Center. The Bellevue School District also has openings.
Schools in almost every city are asking for volunteers to help kids with their reading, math and other assignments.
All volunteers are fingerprinted and must take a TB test, which is provided at no cost.
Volunteers learn the ropes in one two-hour training session, with specialized training for some reading programs and for algebra.
Volunteers are asked to commit to one full school year and two hours per week on a selected day. The volunteer chooses the day of the week and the time of day that they want to help.
To learn more, contact Fisher at 573-3399, ext. 122, or by e-mail at bfisher@volunteernow.org.
She heaped praise on the Coast Guard volunteers, saying many students crave male role models in their lives. The guard's volunteer ranks also include two women this year.
Bannon said Coast Guard volunteers last year donated 465 hours at Roseland Elementary, including some volunteers who averaged up to 50 hours every month.
He said Two Rock's commanding officer, Capt. Chris Hall, challenged the staff to step up for their communities this year. That call was answered.
"It's easy to come in and do your minimum work and go home," Bannon said. "We're going above and beyond that, and there are great results because of that."
You can reach Staff Writer Derek J. Moore at 521-5336 or derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com.
