Gracie enjoys spending time with Amber. She is more confident, cooperative, and positive. Gracie is able to understand boundaries with others much better than before. She has blossomed over the year thanks to the continued support of adults around her like her Elevator.

-Calesha Williamson 

The Elevator Program has given our students a calm and safe space for a short amount of time in their busy and chaotic lives. The program has allowed students to create a friendship with a positive role model. Students are given a chance to express their emotions, practice social skills, and be themselves with an adult that cares and supports their choices or helps guide them in the best way possible. The Elevators visits give students a chance to be heard and seen, which they may not have at home. They’re eager to come to school. They know for that day, the day they get to see their Elevator, they’re loved and important.

Students whose light felt dimmed or those who may not have a chance to feel important or loved are given a chance to shine. Most of these students are surrounded by negative role models, defeating words, or bear the weight of responsibilities that are much too heavy for a child to handle. Students benefit because they’re given a chance to be a kid with a positive adult who is going to ask them how they are, ask them their interests, and give them the attention they desperately deserve and may not experience in their lives. They get an opportunity to have a guide in their life to help them with academics, goals, and hardships.

-Allison Epling 

Anayla is always excited to see her Elevator. It helps her behavior during the week. She always wants to make her Elevator proud!

-Brittany Lowe

I have noticed drastic changes in Colton since he started to meet with David. Each day Colton mentions David at least once and expresses how excited he is to see him the following week. When it is ‘David Day,’ Colton walks in eagerly and spends the day with the biggest smile on his face because he’s looking forward to their time together. Colton wears his heart on his sleeve, so any emotion he is experiencing he will communicate it very openly. Days spent with David always result in the biggest smile and an upbeat attitude for the remainder of the day. David is a positive influence for Colton who doesn’t have a male figure to look up to.

-Allison Epling

Tanner benefits from having a positive role model, and he enjoys the time that he and Jim spend together. Jim is very consistent, and Tanner knows he can count on Jim.

-Stephanie Berry

This poor girl has parents with health problems and needs all of the love and support she can get. It’s been so wonderful to have another caring adult in her life.

-Kathleen Searles

Vicky has something to look forward to on the days her Elevator comes. She knows that there are several adults that care about her tremendously. She knows there are adults that take an interest in her interests as well. Vicky has seen how people show love and care—for example, knowing that people who love you show up when they say they will, take special interests in the things you love, say and do kind things, etc. I have seen Vicky’s confidence grow throughout the year. I am so thankful to have a partner in her education. 

Debbie’s consistency has positively impacted Vicky’s experience this year. I believe Vicky is more confident in her academics, self-worth, and relationships because of her Elevator. I can tell Vicky feels important and loved because of her Elevator. I cannot state this enough.

-Kendall Carson

Zakiyah was a little lost at the beginning of this year, but her Elevator, from her previous school, followed her here and having that consistent person in her life made her much more comfortable. Zakiyah was also a part of a bullying event towards the beginning of the year, and her Elevator offered to talk to her about that behavior and afterwards she was much better.

-Kelly Bell 

Tara has been such a positive role model for Breanna! They have a great relationship, and Breanna looks forward to this time and is always excited to go spend time with Tara. Breanna returns to class happy and ready to work after her time with Tara.

-Stephanie Berry 

Millie looks forward to Pam’s visits each week. It’s a constant in her life when her family can be inconsistent. I think it also gives her a sense of pride that she has something special that not everyone gets to have. Millie is a happy kid when she knows her Elevator is coming. Education Elevators ROCKS!

-Kathleen Searles

Emma struggles with relationships (teacher and peers). Kathy talks to her about positive behavior and how to interact with others, and she tries to help Emma work through things and try to improve relationships. Emma really looks forward to her time with Kathy because she knows Kathy cares about her. Emma struggles a little more with reading than math, but she’s worked hard to improve her reading grade. She made A’s in both subjects this nine weeks. I know Kathy’s encouragement is part of what helps Emma to be successful!

-Stephanie Berry

Aerius is a caring student. Having an Elevator has helped him become more confident, and has also helped him bounce back in class. Aerius is able to accept corrections and implement them in the classroom.

-Kelly Bell

Levi benefits from the one-on-one time and attention he gets from his Elevator. His moods and attitudes are more positive than they were at the beginning of the year. Our students really benefit from the Elevator Program.

-Jessica McCormick 

Having Joe has definitely gotten Jayce excited to be in school! When Jayce is here (he has an attendance issue) he’s always excited on Thursdays!

-Andrea Perrow

Horace is such an amazing Elevator! He comes every week. He spends time with his student and the other kids. I can not say enough wonderful things about him.

-Kristi Sayres 

Peter has been a positive, constant role-model for Payton. Payton loves Peter and their relationship. Payton needs someone to talk to and share with and Peter has totally been that person for him! I appreciate Peter for being so involved in Payton’s life. He truly is an amazing role model for Payton!

-Amanda Freeman

Jahvone is always very excited to see Robert and that consistency is good for him. I am so happy Robert will still be working with him through the CHANCE program.

-Sierra Carney

Chris looks forward to seeing his Elevator every week. He knows when it is time and looks forward to playing basketball with him. Caleb is great at communicating with me and even took the extra step in being part of Chris’s 5th grade graduation. Chris’s home life is difficult and this is another great opportunity for him to build trust with an adult, especially a male because he does not have a male figure at home.

-Mckensie Revis

I just enjoy spending time with Colton. I especially enjoy that he seems genuinely happy to see me (always). I have noticed that he seems to be able to focus more on things that we do compared to the prior year. Also, since spending time with Colton, our conversations have become more meaningful and longer. I love just being able to brighten his day, and in return it brings joy to me as well.

-David Sheppard

Willow is always happy to see me, and her mother says she loves the program. I really enjoy my time with her. She is very bright, and we have fun together.

-Rhonda Henson

I feel that Payton tries to be a better student when he knows I am going to ask about his week/day and see that he has been good in class and received all the check marks for the day. It’s amazing to see the impact that a little time spent with Payton each week has on him. We both look forward to our visits.

-Peter Potesta

Kids need someone to pay attention to them and make them feel important. It doesn’t really matter what you are doing with them.

-Kelly Whitlock