Time is All Students Need

Suzanne Najim spends two days a week volunteering with Communities In Schools of Arizona. In addition to being a tutor with All Star Kids Tutoring reading program she also serves as a mentor for Eve*, an 8th grader at a middle school in the Washington School District. For a year now, the pair has spent time doing a variety of things - working on science projects, playing basketball and sharing a slice at Peter Piper Pizza. "No matter what we're doing, we're always talking," says Suzanne. "She's very open with me," Suzanne says of her mentee Eve. "In our time together she just likes to talk. she looks to me as another positive adult in her life." Eve is not the only one that has gained something through the pair's growing friendship. "I wish I was more like her when I was her age. There's a lot to admire," Suzanne explains. "She's very fair and non-judgmental. She handles things with a very adult mind." Because of Eve's life experiences, she's able to share a new perspective with Suzanne through talking about her concerns and joys. Suzanne recalls a story she heard from Eve about her experience with snow. Eve's family spent the day playing in the snow and "had a blast," Suzanne remembers. Hearing Eve speak about this family trip reminded Suzanne of her own childhood and playing in the snow. Although, just being an adult there to listen may seem minimal, Suzanne knows the true value of giving her time to these children. "It's worth the time. Time is all they need - undivided attention," Suzanne explains. "Sometimes they need to know they're valued and someone cares." written by Hannah M. Davis * = her name has been changed for privacy purposes