Category Archives: Mentoring

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (or anywhere)

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Jane Collins

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington ICON 11 Talent Showcase winners Question: What do District of Columbia Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Georgetown University Men’s Head Basketball Coach JohnThompson III and Roy Hibbert Jr. of the Indiana Pacers have … Continue reading →

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Boys & Girls Clubs

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Jane Collins

The girls from the Dunbar Alexandria-Olympic site of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington rock their handmade napkin rings.   Good news! The Dunbar Alexandria-Olympic site of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington (BGCGW) in Old … Continue reading →

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Jubilee Jobs

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Jane Collins

If you’ve ever searched for a job, you know how important it is to own computer. Imagine how difficult it would be to find work if you didn’t have one. Now imagine trying to find a job if you didn’t … Continue reading →

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Community Lodgings

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Jane Collins

Not long ago I wrote a story about kids who read to puppies. When Community Lodgings asked me to help with Read Aloud, their reading program created for toddlers whose parents attended evening life skills classes, I was ready for … Continue reading →

Posted in Adults, Children, ESL, Homelessness, In the Neighborhood, Kids, Life Skills, Literacy, Mentoring, People | Leave a comment

Beacon House’s Great Leap

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Jane Collins

  The email from Stacey Erd, Beacon House’s executive director, read like an order of battle. With precise start and end times, I was to read to kindergarteners, discuss self-esteem, careers and confidence with preteen girls, serve lunch, then help … Continue reading →

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A-SPAN: Homeless Soccermania and More

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Jane Collins

I took a soccer class in college nearly, well, never mind, but it was before soccer really caught on in the United states.  I was terrible then and I am terrible now.  And I know I’m terrible now because my … Continue reading →

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Jailhouse Art

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Jane Collins

Three things I never knew about jails: 1. They need volunteers to do lots of interesting things 2. Jail is not the same as prison 3. Some inmates are incredibly artistic I discovered these factoids last week at the Alexandria … Continue reading →

Posted in Adults, Arts & Culture, Computers, Education, Faith-based, Life Skills, Mentoring, People, Tutoring | Leave a comment

Girls on the Run – Running for Greatness

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Jane Collins

When I retired from the United States Air Force in September of 2009, I was most excited about never, ever having to run again.  Running is part of the mililtary culture, and even though the Air Force only requires one timed 1.5 mile … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Education, Humanity, In the Neighborhood, Kids, Life Skills, Mentoring, People, Women | 1 Comment

Friends of Guest House – Be the Cred

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Jane Collins

Friends of Guest House exec director Kari Galloway (right) hugs a house resident who shared her story at a fundraiser. Deborah H. lives at Friends of Guest House (FOGH), a 1920’s vinyl-sided house in the Del Ray part of Alexandria.  … Continue reading →

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Discovery Riders – Horse Play

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Jane Collins

Love horses?  Therapeutic equestrian programs are all over the country and always need help.  These kids learn teamwork and cooperation by leading a horse through an obstacle course. Animals are so much more non-threatening that people.  I guess that’s why … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Children, Education, Homework Assistance, Life Skills, Mentoring | Leave a comment

Read On!

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Jane Collins

By Laura Bain (guest columnist)       (Laura Bain is a reading specialist in a rural Ohio elementary school and is passionate about the importance of teaching kids to read.  She’s also one of my dearest friends. – Jane Hess Collins) … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Education, Guest Writers, Literacy, Mentoring | Leave a comment

Get Out and Give Back – Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund

Posted on November 17, 2005 by kannon58

Get Out and Give Back – Hoop Dreams Scholarship FundBy Jane Hess This column is about to take on a new twist – a twist that will hopefully encourage more of you to “get out and give back.” Starting with … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Mentoring | 1 Comment