CJ Mentoring
In Susan Bourke’s Criminal Justice classes, service learning is key from day one. “Our criminal justice students know how important mentoring high-risk youth is to our community.” Juniors Mike Rengers and Karina McMurrin serve as mentors to children who have a parent in prison. Students work with groups like Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the Talbert House for a minimum of one year. Hear from Mike and other students on how mentoring has made a difference in their lives too.
At the beginning of each quarter, Professor Bourke brings in representatives from Big Brothers and Big Sisters Amache Program and the Talbert House S.P.A.R.K. Program to her classes to recruit mentors. Students are matched with high-risk children with a parent in prison and must commit to mentor a child for a year or more in order to provide a sense of stability in the child’s life.
“Our students bring their mentees to class and to campus events like football, basketball, baseball games and the Rec Center, too. The mentors hang out with the kids, help with homework, and just provide a positive role model,” says Bourke.
Student mentors share in their own words how much mentoring has meant to them...
Dan Glozer, 4th year Criminal Justice major
“Being a 21 year old male and knowing how great a job my mom and dad have done in raising me, I wanted to be able to give back to a child that has been less fortunate. I play baseball here at UC and have been very blessed and privileged to have great people surround me in my life and help me through the good and bad.
The child I am mentoring means a lot to me. I thought I was the only one that was going to be able to teach but he has also really helped me open my eyes and realize how blessed I am. He doesn't have a terrible life but I realize how much I have been given in my life and I am very grateful that (Professor) Sue Bourke influenced me in getting involved.
[My mentor] really likes sports such as football, basketball, and baseball. So some days we would go to the park and throw the baseball or football and just have fun. Granted I played a sport here at UC, I was not always available but on weeks I couldn't see him I would call him up and talk for a little and see how school and life is going. I think it is good that he likes sports; it's something that can keep him off the streets. One of our series that we played happened to be against Louisville I got him tickets to come and watch. I think he had fun watching the game, but had an even better time coming on the field and interacting with the players. He got autographs, met the coaches, and after all that we played catch for a little bit on the field. Also, one day he really wanted to sit in the dugout to watch the game, so he asked me about watching in the dugout...I told him he needs to ask the head guy (Coach Brian Cleary) and without hesitation Coach Cleary didn't just let him watch the game, but he let him be the bat boy for the game. The look on his face was indescribable and later when I took him home he couldn't wait to tell his grandparents.
I signed up just thinking I could help direct a child's life but I learned a lot from this young man and he really helped me grow up. Professor Bourke tries to get students involved any way she can. I really hope people listen to what she says about helping a child's life cause you’re not only impacting theirs, you’re also impacting your own life and realizing how fortunate you really are.
Jade Carey, 4th year Criminal Justice major
“I mentored an 8 year old boy named Anthony who was from an underprivileged neighborhood and struggling to keep pace with his classmates. I wanted to help him get his grades up so he didn't have to repeat first grade again; so I brought him to see campus, took him to my classes and to the library. We also went to the aquarium, the park, and the movies. Every time we would do something new we would recap our experiences, talking about what we did and what we wanted to do. I told him not to hesitate to call me; he would call, begging for me to come pick him up so he could learn and get some peace and quiet. His favorite time out was when I took him to the spring football game; he was amazed by the Bearcats, glued to the game and wouldn't leave the first row. One time when we went to the park and the aquarium, he asked me for a dollar so he could get some snacks, since his uncle ate all his. He looked at me and said, “You're a good friend, my friend.” I will never forget that. Anthony taught me patience with others, to recognize differences in people, and to return the favor of giving to those who don't have as much.”
Michael Rengers, 3rd year Criminal Justice major
“I mentor Donald Williams, a 13 year old boy from Westwood. When I first started mentoring Donald, I showed him around campus and brought him to a basketball practice. One night when we were waiting for his mother to pick him up, he was telling me about how he wanted to be a professional basketball player. Joking around with him, I told him he better remember me when he gets his first paycheck. He told me, "Don't worry Mr. Mike, you’re my mentor, you teach me things, I won't forget you." What he said there is worth more than any 'A' on a final exam.”
The Criminal Justice Society, a campus student organization, also encourages and recruits members to mentor. For more information on joining or becoming a mentor, please see their website.