Angelo became much more talkative after 2-3 meetings. At the last meeting, he was very talkative and open and seemed to enjoy our meetings. I feel like Angelo really needed an adult taking an interest in him and showing interest in his future. He is a really smart kid, and, if he keeps making the right choices he could really go far.
David Fenwick
Amelia and I have formed such a good relationship, I can see a difference in her interaction. The joy I feel just spending time with Amelia and hoping that it can make a difference is very important to me.
Pam Lucas
A lot of kids need a steady, reliable, dependable person in their lives.
Jim Peterson
Katie seemed to be happy to see me on the days we met, and she was always talkative and told me about what was going on at her home and at school. She shared problems with "boyfriends" and other friends, discussed her family dynamics, told me things she wished she could do but could not afford to do, and she loved to share the things she learned in class that week, especially If I didn't know the information. I looked forward and enjoyed my time with her possibly more than she did. She is smart and funny and very competitive and a perfect match for me.
Deb Lamey
My biggest takeaway from being an Elevator is learning that every kid is different (different personalities, different home life, different experiences, and the list goes on). But the one thing that every single kid needs is an adult who cares about them, whether it is a teacher, mentor, parent, grandparent, or a guardian. However, it does seem more special when it is an adult outside of the home. I have always known this but never given it much thought until recently. I know my adversities as a kid were nothing compared to some of the adversities that these kids face, but one example from my childhood was my difficulty in learning to read. Although there were times I was embarrassed that I needed to be pulled out of the classroom for individual help, I enjoyed getting one-on-one time with an adult who cared about my success.
No matter what situation is going on at home or in school, every single one of these kids wants to know that they have an adult who cares about them and their needs, wants, and dreams.
Nicole Barker
The single most important thing I got out of being an Elevator is the feeling that I can help make a difference in the life of one child. Education Elevators is an incredible program. If it could continue to be scaled up in the Valley, it would have even more of an impact.
-Bryan Cokeley, Managing Partner
Caitlin does a great job. I really appreciate the calendars in the sign-in book to help me alert EL’s to upcoming events. You are doing a great thing - please keep it up.
-Marie Long, Suttle & Stalnaker Elevator & Business Coordinator
"The program is very successful! I always enjoy recruiting new employees and seeing their excitement when meeting and interacting with their students."
-Amy Crist
Orders Construction partnered with Education Elevators in hopes of making at least a small improvement in our community and state over the long-term. Today’s elementary students are tomorrow’s citizens, and so many of those students lack a positive role model. Our Elevators can be those role models, and hopefully, at least one of us is making an impact that will last a lifetime.
The immediate impacts of the partnership have been to raise Orders Construction’s corporate profile in the community, and improve morale of our team members who see our company doing good things for local children.
Nate Orders, Owner
The Education Elevators Foundation has provided games and activities, answered questions when asked and been extremely helpful! Building a relationship between Central and Orders has been very rewarding.
Janette Peggs
We were first introduced to EE through a presentation at our local Rotary Club. Personally, what attracted me to the organization was having the opportunity to be the difference in a child’s life. Thankfully, I always had a solid role model in my mother. Without the fortune of having her in my life, I could have been that student that needed someone. I want each of the students seeking an Elevator to know that someone in the world cares about them, no matter what may be going on in their lives.
Many employees say that their favorite day of the week is the day they’re able to visit their student. It’s important to Advantage to give back to the community in any way we have the opportunity. With the struggles West Virginia faces, it’s important to make an impact in the future of the state we call home; I can’t think of a better investment of time than improving the life of a child, encouraging them that they are worthy and capable.
-Nina Shell
The Elevators who visit our building have a direct impact on the students they are working with. We know this and value this. We often miss the indirect benefits of Elevators. They support the teachers of the students they are working with by providing needed attention to their students weekly. They also bring a strong sense of community partnership into the building.
Leah Kersey, School Counselor
Our students light up when they find out they are getting matched with an Elevator and when they get to see them weekly. They truly do make a huge impact on our students and their lives.
Caitlin Lastoria, School Counselor
Education Elevators is a West Virginia based, non-profit organization that partners businesses and organizations with local schools to match their employees with students in need of mentors, role models, friendship, academic support, and individual attention.