Darien’s Tammy Taylor was introduced to Shepherds shortly after 9/11 and was inspired to try and do some good in her own backyard by helping a young person get to college. She began mentoring Curtia, a wonderful young woman who has since graduated college and is working on her Master’s degree to work with autistic children. Next came Chiniki who is now a nursing student at Dominican College. This year, Tammy began mentoring Ugonna, a junior who aspires to become a doctor.
Although her students have all struggled, each kept on working through the highs and lows and that’s what keeps Tammy coming back each year. “These kids want to succeed, they have the same hopes and dreams that all of us do… they just need a program and a mentor to work with them and keep them focused on what it takes to make those hopes happen.” Tammy is often asked to speak to mentors and students and below are excerpts from a recent address at Kolbe to start the new school year.
“If someone who was unfamiliar with our program walked into this room tonight… he or she would see a group of people who appear to be very very different … We have people who are new to this country… and some who have lived here their whole lives. Some of us do not speak English, for some of us English is a second language, and for some… it is the only language they know. We have different education and economic backgrounds too. On the surface, it would seem we might have very little in common. But here is where they would be very wrong… we have a very strong belief in education and the wonders of learning. We are all here because we know that a strong education set up you… our young people for success.”
“… when I look at at everyone here… I see dedication and commitment. I see students that want to excel and mentors that are willing to put in the time to help them. I see friendships that have blossomed as students and mentors have gotten to know each other. I see mentors that have learned a thing or two from their students. I see understanding and with understanding comes hope and slowly the differences between us begin to melt away.”