Cook employees make an impact on Bloomington youth
April is National Volunteer Month in the U.S. and it also marks the first anniversary of our Cook tutoring program in Bloomington! We wanted to take a moment to recognize the efforts of our volunteers for the work they are doing to support students in our community. So far, Cook tutors have volunteered more than 1,100 hours at the Crestmont Boys and Girls Club. We also wanted to share the story behind how this program began, and the plans for it to grow in the future.
Aligning employees with our contributions to the community
As you may recall, about a year and a half ago, Cook transformation feedback sessions were underway, and Cook leadership heard from many employees that they were interested in ways to become more connected to Cook’s philanthropic efforts.
Around the same time, the principal from Fairview Elementary School in Bloomington (one of the only schools in Bloomington to receive a failing grade from the state of Indiana) contacted Cook leaders to brainstorm ways to involve the community in helping the school get on the path to success. Cook was also approached by the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington to support a fundraising campaign to purchase and renovate a building for the Crestmont Club, which primarily serves students who attend Fairview Elementary School.
With all of these things happening at once, we saw an opportunity to do more than just make a gift to the Boys and Girls Club. We recognized that our employees’ desire to impact the community could align with helping students in need. So we created a program for Cook employees to volunteer their time as tutors at the Crestmont Boys and Girls Club.
Our first year of tutoring
Currently, 30 employees from the Bloomington Cook companies spend time at the Crestmont Club twice a week to tutor children ages 6 to 17 throughout the school year. During these tutoring sessions, students receive the undivided attention that kids crave and one-on-one time to help them with homework. The tutors help the kids in all subject areas, including math, reading, and more. We are passionate about helping these students and just began trying out a new reading program with seven students. We hope to further boost the literacy of the students, providing an even bigger impact to their future success.
Watch Aaryn Eady, program director at the Crestmont Boys and Girls Club, discuss her experience with the Cook Tutoring Program.
We need your help for our second year of tutoring
As this month marks an exciting first year of service through our tutoring program, we are already looking ahead to expand our efforts in the 2017-18 school year. After a successful fundraising campaign, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington purchased a new building for the Crestmont Club, which is currently being renovated. The Crestmont Club currently serves 40 kids daily, and when they move into the new building, they will be able to serve 180 kids per day. Talk about an impact!
More club members means that there is a need for more tutors. We are looking for your help to recruit 20 more Cook tutors for the fall tutoring session, beginning in late August. If you are interested in the tutoring program, please contact me at kim.rohlfing@cookmedical.com or 812.331.1025, ext. 10-2180.
We would also love to hear about how you volunteer in your community. Leave a note in the comments section below!
Great program and well done to everyone who gives up their time to get involved.
AWESOME story & AMAZING program !
Incredible people making a real and lasting contribution to others! An amazing story about amazing people! Congratulations on making a difference!
Awesome story! I am sure the families are appreciative of the time and support the volunteers are offering.
My son attends Fairview. He stays after school for the tutor program with Banneker. Having a tutor work one on one with him is very special. A lot of the kids at Fairview really need one on one attention from someone they can trust, talk to, and learn from. I have seen such a difference in the kids these past 2 years and it is because of programs like the Boys and Girls club, the City of Bloomington, the arts and humanities brought into the classroom, and the attention our community has been able to give to these kids. I am grateful to all of the volunteers that invest in our kids at Fairview. We see the positive changes and recognize that when a child is excited to share what is going on at school they encourage their parents to be involved. Come out May 1 at 6:30 and see the kids perform at their Spring String Program. You will not regret the experience! Thank you all the tutors and Cook for their partnership with the Boys and Girls Club.
Everyone involved should be incredibly proud of what they are doing. No-one whatever their age forgets a good tutor, you really are making a difference.
What an amazing program. Well done to all involved. Would love to see a program like this being run over here in Australia too. I love how much COOK cares about their community.