Path To Shine is St. David’s way of showing love to our closest neighbor, Mimosa Elementary School. This mentoring program meets from 2:15 - 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and matches one child to one mentor, forming real relationships and giving kids undivided attention.
First, kids enjoy our playground or gym, burning off the day’s pent-up energy. Then we have snacks – a full meal, actually – lovingly prepared and delivered by the ever-faithful snack team. The rest of our time is split between group time, where a mentor presents a book and activity, and mentor time where we work one-on-one on reading and homework.
Our goals is to make each kid feel special, to help them discover their gifts and gain skills and confidence. We try to make this time meaningful and fun for mentors as well as kids. We are always looking for God to send us new full-time and substitute mentors and snack providers.
If you’re being called to serve, or just want more information, please contact:
Patty Ormsby at 678-925-1422.
Why I Love Being A Mentor by Suzy Bristow
The first week my husband and I visited St. David’s, an announcement in the Sunday bulletin caught my attention. It was from Path To Shine, and they were looking for more volunteer mentors to work with these selected elementary-aged students from Mimosa. I told my husband I was interested, and I phoned the director that week. The first thing she asked me was if my husband was also available.
Bottom line, both Larry and I immediately started volunteering as mentors for Path To Shine, and we both enjoy the program.
These kids respond well to having their individualized mentor. To be eligible for the program, the student must want to be in the program, be courteous, and benefit from being in the Path To Shine program. It took no time to develop a relationship with my student, Ross. Each week, we provide play time, have a dedicated snack time provided by the wonderful volunteers at St. David’s, help with homework, and close with a craft time where all children participate. We meet on Wednesdays from 2:30 - 5:00.
It’s the most rewarding time of my week. Ross gives me as much as I hope he receives from me. It’s a positive time to watch your child interact, develop skills, mature, and learn to balance the projects they have for school. It’s a program where the children learn they can trust their mentor and lean on them for directives in their daily lives.
Precious Two Hours a Week by Heidi Smith
When I decided to be a mentor with Path to Shine, I was new to the Roswell area and also a new member at St. David’s. I thought it would be a nice way to get to know some new people, and indeed it was! The ladies (and three gentlemen) are all so lovely and have become friends who I look forward to spending time with each week.
But the absolute BEST part of the PTS program is my little friend, Nicole! She was a first grader this past school year and is a delightful little girl who always makes me laugh and keeps me on my toes with her curiosity and questions galore.
Being her mentor involves helping with homework, reading stories (or her reading to me), art projects, and just “hanging out”! I sometimes remind her to use good manners and teach her a few etiquette skills! But mostly, we just have fun learning from each other and spending those precious two hours together each week.
St. David's Episcopal Church is convenient to Roswell, Alpharetta, Milton, John's Creek, Woodstock, and North Fulton County. We are a like-hearted and diverse community of faith gathered and shaped by Jesus’ abundant love. We are focused on growing deeply and serving passionately, that we might shine Christ’s light wherever God might call us.