Encouragement for the Kids

"We can embrace these kids," Digger Phelps said, referring to the Dream Team mentoring program he has started and nurtured in the South Bend Community School Corporation.

One company vice president and some sixty employees adopted a nearby school and went in on the lunch hour to read with students. ISTEP scores jumped from near the bottom of the corporation to near the top in just the first year and have increased each year as the partnership continues. "The fact that we can make a difference is very powerful," enthused VP Jerry Scott. "Reading has changed from being a negative to a positive; you can help this kid's dream become reality."

Digger Phelps said Rev. Theodore Hesburgh of Notre Dame was the "spark that lit his fire" to start a successful mentoring program with the South Bend School Corporation. "He just looked me in the eye and asked what I was really doing to make a difference in the world." This year they are looking for 6000 mentors and readers to connect with kids.

Encouragers are igniters of people. They get behind others and light a fire for them whatever the circumstance. They make the world a better place.

Look around. Someone is waiting for your spark today.