Amazing Mentors at College Dreams Jenifer Pohling, Rebecca Clark, Monet Talty.

The definition of a mentor is a wise and trusted counselor or teacher, but from a student who has been influenced by the College Dreams program’s ‘amazing mentors’ you can get  a much more clear insight.
 
A large part of College Dream’s success lies with the Prevention Specialists, the most recent addition to the team is Jenifer Pohling. She has been a Prevention Specialist for one year and a College Dreams team member for a year previous. Jenifer is an easy-going person who loves her students. She is very casual in her approach and her calm demeanor makes her a wonderful friend and mentor. Her connection with at-risk youth is very unique, as she is always open for new friendships. Jenifer is known to be a very patient person and will wait for the student to be comfortable enough to gently guide them in the right direction.

Rebecca Clark has been a Prevention Specialist for 7 years and she works with students at Grants Pass High School and both North and South Middle Schools. Her passion for her work allows her to guide many at-risk youth in the right direction. Rebecca has often been referred to as a “kid magnet” and because of her loving presence she is able to connect with youth on a healthy level. Not only does she participate in many community service projects and spend many extra hours helping students after school, the students can ask any question and seek advice without receiving judgment.

The most senior Prevention Specialist is Monet Talty. Monet works with Illinois Valley children at Illinois Valley High School and Lorne Byrne Middle School. She is so dedicated to her students she declined a leave of absence after her son was born. Monet is known to go above and beyond for at-risk youth and is well known for her yearly scramble to the post office to submit college application to be post-marked before the deadline. Monet also contributes many late nights writing letters of recommendation for her students whenever asked, and does so with a smiling face.

Each and every staff member of College Dreams does amazing things to better our community and its citizens. The goals are clear and very inspiring, as we all would like to see healthy and happy children. The students influenced by the Prevention Specialists of today are the leaders of tomorrow. Tom and Judie Drummond’s vision of providing a solid preventative program for students of today will continue to make a positive impact on our community.

College Dreams is a local program that was established nine years ago by Tom and Judie Drummond through the Josephine County Human Services Department and was originally called the Josephine County Prevention Program. This organization is productive due to the fact that it is entirely an evidence based program providing scientific proof that the structure of the organization is sound. The prevention program was modeled after more expensive national programs but offers a unique insight into the selection of students and the preventative measures in which the selected may over come many hurdles and become active members of our community.

The screening process created by Tom Drummond from many years of research begins at the middle school level, preferably the sixth grade, as the transition from the structured and nurturing environment of elementary school to middle school takes place. Students records are used to find children who are intelligent and who have good marks but may have some challenges at home. Students and parents sign contracts designed to give the child incentive to attend school and participate in healthy developmental activities and community service activities in hopes that the program will see many healthy productive adults.

Proof of College Dreams’ success can be found in their many awards. In 2001 they were named a Promising Practices Network program, which is an organization designed to recognize organizations that use evidence-based practices to promote healthy children and families. The program has earned several other awards such as service recognitions from the Three Rivers School District, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and most recently the organization was presented with the first ever Gordon Elwood Foundation Award of Excellence.

If you or someone you know would like to contribute to College Dreams and help make a difference for at-risk youth, please visit collegedreams.org or call Judie Drummond at 476-8146.