Volunteer Spotlight: Riley Rant

• How did you learn about Each One Reach One?
  A family friend and EORO board member told me about the GED tutoring and Playwriting programs developed by EORO. I thought both were totally awesome.
  
  
  Why did you become involved with Each One Reach One?
  I respect what Each One Reach One enables.  Like this organization, I believe that furthering education and engaging in creative expression boosts every person’s potential. Our students leave their pasts at the door and enter the classroom ready to begin their futures. Every week they take positive steps to better themselves and their lives. It’s amazing to see this transformation in action.
  
  
  What is most important to you about your relationship with Each One Reach One?
  The exchange of ideas, perspectives and knowledge between the tutors and the students is invaluable to me. Every week, the tutors exercise our students’ skills in science, math, reading and writing. We also reinforce the idea of personal empowerment through education. And every week, ourstudents teach us more about life and where they’re coming from—sometimes without even knowing it. I leave inspired every week, and I think they do too.
  
  
  What is your favorite Each One Reach One Program?
  ADAPT Study Hall
  
  How long have you been involved with Each One Reach One?
  About a year now. Wow!
  
  
  What is your greatest contribution to Each One Reach One?
  The ability to offer an ear and a hand.  I listen to the boys talk through their academic issues and then try my best to help them overcoming any obstacles.
  
  Would you or do you encourage friends to become involved?
  I definitely encourage friends to become involved.
  
  
  Where are you from?
  I’m from Oakland, CA.
  
  
  What do you do for a living?
  I’m a copywriter for an advertising agency. We come up with creative ways to highlight different brands and products.
  
  
  What does community mean to you?
  Community means a ‘safety net.’ It consists of people you can trust, depend on, and know they have your best interests at heart. 

SYEP Workshops at YGCIC

EORO is collaborating with YGCIC on the Summer Youth Employment Program through the Office of Economic and Workforce Development.Last Week, EORO Program Manager lead a four day intensive KIS workshop. KIS is a comprehensive life skills and health education workshop to empower teenagers to recognize their roles and responsibilities around safe sex and pregnancy, healthy relationships, nutrition, and gang involvement. KIS helps youth manage risks, seek testing, and treatment, and explore topics including sex and pregnancy myths, consequences of casual sex, negotiating safer-sex, tattooing, HIV, date rape, and sexual assault. There were 15 youth who participated in the program. The youth expressed great interest in the program.

Keeping It Safe at Camp Glenwood

KIS has launched an 8 week series at Camp Glenwood in San Mateo County and the young men are already talking. Here is a letter from one young participant:

Dear Harold,

Thank you for your inspirational speaking. You really have influenced me to be more aware of my body because I do not know what I would do if I have or catch HIV. Your HIV Prevention talk has really impacted my life to the fullest. Not only do I have more knowledge, I have more self respect for myself. Thank you so much for informing me about HIV and AIDS. I look forward to your future talks.

Sincerely,

Norman*
Age 15

*The names of the youth have been changed to protect the identity and rights of our program partcipants.