New name, same mission: Marines Mentoring Millennials

By Julia LeDoux, Pentagram Staff WriterAugust 20, 2015

New name, same mission: Marines mentoring millennials
Sgt. Erwin Prisme, from the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, talks with Jaden Tham-Morrobel, 9, at Barcroft Elementary School in Arlington Aug. 26, 2013. For 35 years, the Marines of Henderson Hall's Headquarters and Service ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ARLINGTON, Va. - For over 35 years, Marine Corps Community Services, Henderson Hall and the Marines of Headquarters & Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps Henderson Hall have partnered with Barcroft Elementary School in Arlington to mentor pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade students during the academic year.

That program, previously known as the Tutor & Buddy Program, has now been renamed the Marines Mentoring Millennials program.

"I think the word tutor can scare people off," said Henderson Hall School Liaison Officer Chanel Sharp. "They can think, `I don't know math', or `I didn't do too well in science.' It's really about mentorship and the relationship they build with the child rather than the academic guidance they provide."

Millennials include those born after 1980 and through the early part of the 21st Century and comprise both Generation Y and Generation Z. Known as the new millennials, Generation Z'ers have also grown up with a technology-centered school curriculum, she said.

The program provides Marines with the opportunity to mentor and foster relationships with the local community through the building of relationships with school-aged children, continued Sharp.

"They want to make a connection with the community," she said of the Marines who volunteer with the program. "They want to volunteer, either because they have younger siblings or they feel it's important to give back to the community. They are already giving so much with being in the service and they still feel compelled to give more."

The program brings Marines and students together in a variety of activities throughout the school year, including tutoring, mentoring and game playing. There is a pumpkin carving event at Halloween; a holiday party in December; and a Flag Day and field day event in June.

The Marines even started celebrating the Corps' birthday with students last year, said Sharp.

"The Marines try to make a very personal and positive impression on these children," she said.

Longtime volunteer Army Master Sgt. James C. Meyers, senior career counselor for JBM-HH, has mentored three children through the program, all of whom were impacted by his efforts, he said.

"Each week we are there, when they enter the room and they see us, faces light up and in my mind I can see the impact, even if it is just their eyes telling me, 'My mentor is here; I am important to him or her,'" said Meyers. "If we as a team are able to inspire a child to reach his or her full potential that is worth every moment of our time and effort."

Begun in 1980 as the Partner in Education Program, the effort was known as Adopt-a-School in 1991 when it was designated a "daily point of light" by the Points of Light volunteer organization, begun by President George H.W. Bush.

Marines Mentoring Millennials kicks-off for the upcoming school year Sept. 14 and Sharp is seeking volunteers to mentor Barcroft students.

The program is open to all service members Visits are twice a month, from 11:40 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Transportation is provided and departs from the pull-up bars by the Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gymnasium on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base. For more information, visit http://www.mccshh.com/slmillennials.html or call Sharp at 703-693-8378.