Students at Sikeston (Mo.) Career and Technology Center are seeing results with their Operation Hope mentoring program. They work with at-risk children, and according to health occupations instructor Gloria Houston, 92 percent of the affected youth increased attendance, had minimal referrals to the principal’s office, improved grades and increased involvement in school.
The program includes activities to boost self-esteem, teach communication skills and raise awareness about depression and bullying. While the younger ones improve in school, high school students learn to lead by example. Also this year, the center’s SkillsUSA members provided warm clothes and wish-list items for 85 children and hot meals for more than 250 people in need.
Mentor MaKenzie Lynch (center) shares the basics of dental hygiene with Austin Robbins and Allison Essary. Photo: Gloria Houston, Sikeston (Mo.) Career and Technology Center. Used with permission.
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