Ober Kaler and Patterson Park Public Charter School Demonstrate the Value of Mentorship

For over a century, Ober | Kaler, a national law firm headquartered in Baltimore City, has delivered exceptional and quality service to their constituents.  Made up of a staff of talented, diverse and committed individuals, it is no wonder Ober |Kaler has taken a keen interest in the needs of Baltimore City Public School students.  In the Fall of 2010  Ober | Kaler partnered with Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU) through the PENCIL Program to present team members with an opportunity to mentor children at Baltimore City’s Patterson Park Public Charter School.

Patterson Park Public Charter School (PPPCS) is focused on developing well-educated, community-minded children by providing high-quality, community-based education that capitalizes on the diversity of nearby neighborhoods and uses the resources of Patterson Park.  The school’s culture is based on students, staff, and parents functioning, seeing themselves, and behaving as one community.  Last year, representatives from Ober | Kaler met with the Principal and Community School Coordinators at PPPCS and BVU staff  to identify how these two dynamic partners could work together.  The representatives from Ober | Kaler expressed an interest in working directly with students on a recurring basis, and the school was able to identify a group of students who would most benefit from mentoring relationships.

Business Volunteers Unlimited also connected them to PACT, a nonprofit dedicated to development of children with special needs.  On March 22nd, the J.D. Neuhaus team hosted a family pizza party and rolled up their sleeves to clean parts of the facility.  In April, another group of employees visited The Samaritan Women to help with the organization’s farm initiative.

Patterson Park Public Charter School (PPPCS) is focused on developing well-educated, community-minded children by providing high-quality, community-based education that capitalizes on the diversity of nearby neighborhoods and uses the resources of Patterson Park.  The school’s culture is based on students, staff, and parents functioning, seeing themselves, and behaving as one community.  Last year, representatives from Ober | Kaler met with the Principal and Community School Coordinators at PPPCS and BVU staff  to identify how these two dynamic partners could work together.  The representatives from Ober | Kaler expressed an interest in working directly with students on a recurring basis, and the school was able to identify a group of students who would most benefit from mentoring relationships.

Through the 2010 -2011 academic school year, 19 representatives from Ober | Kaler have volunteered at PPPCS to support the 18 students identified by the school as having the greatest need for mentorship.  The students and mentors meet to play games, do art projects and other activities every other week during the students’ Thursday lunch hour.  Along with their time, Ober | Kaler has donated books and supplies to support the students’ educational experience.  When asked about their experience Leslie Goldsmith and Diane Schmitt of Ober |Kaler have stated, “We look forward to seeing the students every other week and feel as though we are building a positive relationship.  It is a wonderful way to be more integrated in our community.  Although an hour is not a lot of time, we make a conscious effort to make the most of it; we play board games, work on crafts and, most importantly, get to know the students.   We hope that the students’ experiences are as positive as our own.”

Leslie, Diane and the other volunteers from Ober | Kaler can be assured that they truly are supporting the school in its effort to ensure students get the excellent educational experience they deserve.  When asked what their partnership with Ober | Kaler has meant for the school, representatives from Patterson Park Public shared, “The mentors from Ober | Kaler are building positive human connections with students, fulfilling part of their needs for encouraging bonds. The students look forward to seeing their mentors because they know their mentors believe in them.”

BVU congratulates Ober | Kaler and Patterson Park Public Charter School on their partnership that is positively changing  the trajectory of students’ educational experience.

About BVU

BVU inspires volunteerism by connecting motivated people and businesses with the nonprofits and communities that need them most. BVU serves as the primary resource for recruiting, developing and organizing volunteers in the Greater Baltimore area.

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