It is nice to know that the community cares, and feels invested in the children who will soon be productive adults in our/their communities as well. It truly takes a village and sadly, most of these kids do not have the immediate family foundation that many take for granted. It really does take a village/community to help these kids. One person believing in a child, giving them positive feedback and forming a relationship, can literally change their life. I am thankful for everyone in this program. We need more of this.

One on one time with kids means the world to them. We, as a school, are aware of their needs every morning as the kids get off the bus. They come and they know that they are safe and loved. The school needs will be met by the school staff, but to have an adult come just for them is better than any birthday/Christmas gift a child at KCE could get. The Elevators are very beneficial for our students.

Jessica Pinkerton, School Counselor

The program is working wonderfully here at Central, and our students who participate look forward to the visits they have with their mentors each week. I am so thankful for their hard work and dedication to ourstudents and would highly recommend the Education Elevator program to any school who is interested.

Whitney Canada, Principal

The single most important thing I got out of this program is seeing the Elevators make a difference in the student’s lives. Our students without Elevators keep asking me for one and the students that have Elevators can’t wait to see them!

Caitlin Lastoria, Social Worker/Assistant Attendance Director

Elevators have helped impact Mary C. Snow Elementary by giving our students consistency and positive role models. They have improved our students’ attendance and behavior. Elevators have provided our at risk students a reason to want to come to school...so they can see their Elevator! They’ve helped our students form important connections with adults and have helped our students have another adult in their life to show that they care and make them feel special!

Destiny Spencer, Principal

Education Elevators is an amazing program! Students light up when I tell them that their Elevator is here.  Student attendance, school performance and confidence have all improved! Students smile more and are more comfortable when talking to adults (this is even with students who really struggled previously with trusting people). One student who used to not make eye contact now stops me in the hall to talk! Students also engage more with their peers and are happier in general. Another student, who last year would just look down at her desk and wasn’t affectionate at all, is now seen skipping down the hallways always saying “Hi Ms. Natalie!” She has given me three hugs! I wish I had more Elevators to match with students! It’s really incredible to see the impact they have on our students! I LOVE this program!

Natalie Blevins, Family Support Worker/After School Director

I love having Elevators in my school! There are so many kids who need someone to care. It’s awesome when you see at least a few getting that basic need met. I wish we had started this program years ago, and appreciate all of the adults who give up time from their work day in order to help a child. This has been an amazing experience.

Julie Sayre, Principal

Aaron’s Elevator, Victor, is amazing! Aaron bounces down the hallway whenever he is with Victor. Aaron doesn't smile for photos ever except for the one I took of him with Victor. It has almost brought me to tears seeing his excitement. Aaron comes from a very challenging home life and Victor has been such a consistent, stable relationship for him.

Amanda Bartoli

Ayden needs a strong male role model in his life who is successful. He needs someone who he can trust and confide in. He looks forward to his visits with his Elevator. I notice an improved attitude after he has a visit and even the day he knows he will be seeing him.

Andrea Owens

Collin has a challenging home life. He performs at a lower academic level than everyone in the class. Having an Elevator made him feel special and boosted his confidence.

Amanda Bartoli

Jacob has recently been removed from his mom and lives with his brother's dad. I don't think Jacob has many people he can talk to about his mom and his home life situation. Having an Elevator really allows him to have someone to talk to about all of that. He is able to have someone to confide in and help him with his emotions. Jacob is a fun loving kid, but keeps a lot inside. He really needs this trusted adult that is a constant in his life. Having an Elevator has helped him from not completely unraveling.

Andrea Owens

This student’s father passed away a few years ago and his Elevator is the only real male role he has in his life. He has mentioned that having an Elevator makes him miss his dad but he enjoys being able to have a dad type  igure in his life. He gets a lot of joy out of hanging out with his Elevator. His mom works a lot and he doesn't  have a lot of adult attention at home. Having this one on one time really helps him have positive attention  from an adult and has greatly improved his negative attention seeking behaviors in the classroom.

Andrea Owens