NMYAR Foundation History

In April 1999, the Board of Directors selected Susan Bender Benjamin as the initial Executive Director for the Foundation. Ms. Bender Benjamin had volunteered with the organization for ten years. She was a co-founder, board member, mentor, volunteer recruiter, trainer and fund raiser for the organization. In May 2001, Ms. Bender Benjamin resigned and moved to Oregon. The board hired Lynn Charlton as the new Executive Director.

In February 2001, 23 students from Washington Middle School graduated from NMYAR's yearlong program. Every student improved at least two of their grades and several have gone from straight F's to A, B and C grades. During May, 14 of our students did not receive a single school referral. In addition, students reported less fighting at home with parents and siblings. One student, who had smoked marijuana daily before starting the program, refrained from smoking all year. A student from the 98-99 program asked to come back as a participant because he said he could not stay focused without the program. He and his Community Partner, the adult mentor, returned. He has not been involved in a fight at school in the last 12 months and received his first straight A report card.

An Hispanic boy in our program could not speak English a year ago. He told the enrollment assistant life was not worth living. Three of our volunteers sat beside him at the Kick-Off Event and translated the whole course for him. At graduation, he was voted "Most Improved Youth." He gave a speech, in excellent English, to more than 100 young people, volunteers and their families. He told the audience:
"This program, Youth at Risk has given me the opportunity to learn more about the good work people like the mentors in this program are doing. I want to thank my mother for her support and guidance. Having been a part of this program has made me a better person. The progress all of the students have made in one year is amazing. I respectfully thank you."

Three students from the 1998-99 program volunteered as youth leaders in the 2000-01 program. The summer reading program was a great success. One student read ten books, another read five, one other read three, and six students read one apiece. A student who was expelled shortly before joining the program made up all the school work he had missed and returned to school in August. Another student literally fought for his life, as he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia during the summer. All the young people and mentors lent their support to him and his family. He is in remission, and has completed the program.