January is Mentor Appreciation Month!

On behalf of Shepherds’ students and the staff and Board of Shepherds, we recognize and celebrate our Shepherds mentors this month. You have generously volunteered your time to help change a life.

From much experience, we observe that our students themselves don’t always recognize or overtly express their appreciation of your efforts. But we also observe that by the time graduation rolls around or maybe even a few years later, the lightbulb goes off and they say, “Hey, you know what? If it wasn’t for [fill-in your name], I wouldn’t be where I am today.” So, my first message is, “hang in there.”

Four years is a long time to commit to anything. Four high school years can feel even longer than the annual changing of the calendar may feel. Just think it was only in 2019, that the current senior class started with Shepherds. In hindsight it seems like it was just yesterday now that you arrived here.

And I have to add another observation. For the seniors and the juniors as well, we – you – had two plus years of all the pandemic disruptions to contend with. To repeat, Perseverance and Patience were at a premium. Our mentors who have made it this far deserve a special laudatory thank you. And all the mentors in the younger years, please know that our students do appreciate your efforts as do we. This fall we celebrate our 25th year of Changing Lives and you’re all part of that history and indeed are building a better future for our student! Celebrate yourself!

 

 

Dan McAuliffe