RITA COOK / Staff Writer
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RED OAK – The Red Oak and Waxahachie ISDs partnered with Inspire School Programs this year for its Mentor’s Care program. The program targets at-risk youth with one-on-one mentoring.
The program is a larger, group mentoring program for the general student population according to Beth Trimble, Executive Director of Communications at Red Oak ISD.
The goal is to inspire students to discover their value, find purpose, and build strength to be successful in life while positively contributing to their community.
“We have both high school and middle school programs currently in place,” Trimble added.
“Inspire is in numerous other districts in the area; we mutually connected after hearing about the program’s success.”
One of the successes for the students involved in the program this year was having the chance to meet and get to know Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman.
Norman said, “I was asked to participate with this great program and hosted a table of seven young men from Waxahachie ISD, and we had a great time.”
The luncheon included about 400 young men from the Waxahachie and Red Oak ISDs.
Inspire is a semester-long group mentoring program, with trained staff coming once a week to reach approximately 250-300 students over the course of the day with different classes pulled each period.
The ISDs utilize non-core classes such as PE or enrichment classes to reach primarily freshman and sophomores.
The middle school aims at 7th and 8th graders, and then students are split into two groups for smaller discussion sizes.
In the curriculum, they cover social life skills for students such as conflict resolution, goal setting, positive choices, social media safety, self-esteem, and healthy relationships.
Trimble said, “At the high school level, the program culminates in a men’s and women’s luncheon with area businesses sponsoring the event and serving as table hosts for the meal component.”
Students also have the chance to hear individual and panel speakers on a variety of topics. Middle school participants enjoy dream boarding and sports/field day activities with built-in lessons.
In addition to Sheriff Norman’s involvement, there were also other volunteers for the luncheon including Ellis County DA Ann Montgomery, ROISD Superintendent Brenda Sanford, ROISD CFO Bill Johnston, Trimble and around 70 other volunteers as well.
“I truly believe this program will benefit our youth, and [they] were able to hear several testimonies from past participants,” concluded Norman.
“Inspire is a great program that cares for our youth.”
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