Some of the new group with Kenny Monteiro (standing center)

FAM for Change Summer Institute Held

Posted on August 25, 2009 - Permalink
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Earlier this month, 34 new participants of the college's innovative mentor program, FAM for Change, engaged in a day of fun and interaction on campus as part of the program's 2nd annual Summer Institute.

FAM for Change was developed by President Dana Mohler-Faria and pairs BSC mentors with Brockton High School freshmen to help the latter group stay in school and excel in their studies. The Brockton mentees who successfully complete the program, graduate high school and meet the requirements for entrance into BSC will get to attend the college free of charge. The program's second academic year will begin in the fall.

At the summer institute, the new group, comprising 18 new mentors and 16 new mentees, engaged in fun activities, team building workshops and social events. That helped "create a unity with everyone in the program," said Kenny Monteiro, program manager.

Mentors and mentees who are already in the program came to campus to meet the newcomers, as well.

Of the new participants, Mr. Monteiro said, "We had a wonderful group of students who were already so excited, energized and passionate about the program. The new group of students fit in perfectly and will create a beautiful dynamic to the current group."

Mr. Monteiro said the program's first year was very successful and is optimistic about the upcoming year.

"We now see students who are more confident, with a higher level of self-esteem and who are interested in creating change among themselves and throughout the world. We have many students who I know will be tremendous leaders in the future. I think our second year will be as wonderful," he said. (Story and photo by Rob Matheson, Institutional Communications)