2023 NEWSLETTERS Archives - Page 5 of 8

An Important Message from Shepherds Board of Directors on Social & Educational Inequality

Shepherds | June 11, 2020

June 2020

Dear Shepherds Community,

We hope that this finds you safe and healthy in these unsettled times.

As we face the devastation wrought on our country and our world by the Covid-19 crisis, we also acknowledge, as we always have, that there exists in this country great social and economic inequality. We understand and wish to extend our thoughts of support to all members of our extended Shepherds community who are both suffering from and troubled by these ongoing circumstances.

Shepherds’ mission remains the same today as it was 20 years ago. We continue to close the opportunity gap for young people in our inner cities by providing this under-served community with access to quality high school education, life skills training, college prep workshops and activities, and adult mentoring that helps to guide them during their most formative teenage years. Shepherds promotes educational and life opportunities for our Shepherds students by investing in and extending their human potential.

We are justly proud of our Shepherds alumni who do their part to make the world a better place in every way, including by reinvesting in their communities and by giving their time and energy back to Shepherds.

Shepherds continues unwaveringly in its mission of Changing Lives…One Student at a Time.

We thank you and welcome your continued support of Shepherds in our important and critical endeavor.

Sincerely,

Timothy Stuart, Chair

Barnet Phillips, IV, Vice Chair and Co-Founder

on behalf of The Shepherds Board of Directors

Shepherds Model for Success … Adapted by Covid-19

Shepherds | April 29, 2020

Our model for success for our students has been working for over 20 years. COVID-19 has caused us to adjust our model to reflect the realities of today. Our students, mentors and program have proved to be both resilient and innovative.

The biggest change in our students’ lives is that they now are distant learners. Many of our students live in homes where they are now helping take care or help teach their younger siblings while their parents are at work. Not every student has a place that can be quiet and dedicated to their studies. Nevertheless, Shepherds students remain successful in achieving their academic goals! Shepherds would like to thank their partner schools, Kolbe Cathedral High School and Notre Dame West Haven, for adapting to this remote learning environment quickly for our students. Shepherds administration is staying on top of students’ progress to ensure that every student remains on track.

Mentors have also had to adapt as in-person visits cannot happen at this time. Technology has been helpful in maintaining the connection between student and mentor. Use of Zoom, FaceTime and other video-based applications have helped bridge that connection gap. Even some of our less tech-savvy mentors have really stepped up and embraced these applications. While certainly not the same as being together in person, all agree that it is better than a phone call or not checking in at all.

Shepherds’ graduation rate is 95% compared to their Bridgeport and New Haven peers’ graduation rate at 55-60%. 100% of last year’s graduating class attended college. Our program ‘flattens the curve’ by providing a quality, college preparatory education, academic and social skills training, and most importantly, a mentor to guide the way. Simply put, Shepherds works.

We are recruiting mentors for our freshman class beginning this fall and invite you to find out more about being a Shepherds’ mentor. Mentoring can change the life of a child with socio-economic and academic disadvantages – and it is very satisfying to be a part of that growth! Contact Executive Director Dan McAuliffe at info@shepherdsmentors.org or call 203-367-4273.

Update During these Unusual Times

Shepherds | April 1, 2020

Dear Shepherds Community,

As the implications of the virus pandemic become more immediate, it’s our sense that the connections that underpin the Shepherds partnership of student-parent-school-mentor-staff are even more relevant.

First, and foremost, we hope and pray that you and your families are well.

Second, the Shepherds staff is on duty – yes, like many of you, we are balancing home, family, virtual learning, and work responsibilities. But we have a job to do and are available to hear from you. If you think we can help in any way, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us.

Third, we would like to begin the process of building a community of sharing. We hope that by communicating more, we can support each other even if we can’t physically be there for one another. Please share your stories – images or written – about how you’re adapting to the current conditions, what you’ve learned and any suggestions you may have for others.

Send us your input or pictures at info@shepherdsmentors.org or text them to 203-550-6395, or tag Shepherds on Instagram or Facebook. We will post them for the greater community. We’ll curate the input and post as appropriate, names only disclosed upon permission.

Continues….

New Students & Mentors Meet

Shepherds | September 27, 2019

The beginning of school is an exciting time for both mentors and Shepherds students. Last week at Notre Dame West Haven and Kolbe Cathedral High School, Shepherds freshman and their mentors met each other for the first time and had a celebratory meal with upper year students and their mentors. “It was like a family reunion,” claimed Executive Director Dan McAuliffe, “welcoming back our student and mentors and inviting new members into our Shepherds community.”

To see more photos, go to Shepherds’ Instagram.

Shepherds & NDWH in Search of a Few Good Men

Shepherds | September 12, 2019

Shepherds empowers inner-city Connecticut youth to build a foundation for success by providing a college-prepartory education at a non-public high school, academic and life skills, along with the positive role model and support of a Shepherds mentor. The whole student model, where Shepherds provides not only opportunity but guidance, is critical to the success of the student and has a ripple effect on the student’s family and community.

But that positive impact cannot be done without community volunteers willing to step up to make a difference in a student’s life. Spending a few hours a month mentoring an at-risk youth can help improve their schoolwork, their behavior and their self-esteem. Studies have shown that mentoring high school students improves attendance, class participation, academic success and higher college acceptance rates. Last year, all Shepherds graduates were accepted and are currently attending college.

“We are looking for caring adult mentors of all ages to make a real difference for our Shepherds’ Notre Dame High School West Haven students,” said Dan McAuliffe, Executive Director of Shepherds. “If you have a few hours a month and the desire to make a difference, we want to talk with you about our program.”

Being a mentor not only benefits the student. Mentoring is a satisfying endeavor for the mentor as well. The satisfaction of helping a young person achieve their goals is personally impactful. Additionally, mentoring is a skill that is valued by employers as it demonstrates a willingness and ability to work and teach others. Developing that skill with a high school student is a great way to flex those mentoring muscles. Mentoring is a relationship where both sides can learn and grow, despite the focus being on the student’s progress.

“We have a few Notre Dame West Haven young men in need of a mentor,” says McAuliffe, “and all of these great kids deserve and would benefit from a mentor.”

Anyone wanting to find out more about Shepherds should contact the office at 203-367-4273 or email info@shepherdsmentors.org.

2019 End of Year Update

Shepherds | July 1, 2019

Shepherds staff and Board wish to thank our mentors, sponsors and donors for their generosity. The 2018-19 school year was very successful for our program and, most importantly, our students. Check out the highlights of what was accomplished this year! …

2019 KCHS Shepherds’ Graduates

Shepherds | June 12, 2019

Shepherds hosted a festive brunch in honor of f the six Kolbe Cathedral High School graduating seniors. The brunch honored the graduates, their families and the students’ mentors. …