In an effort to connect with and make a difference in the lives of students, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office has joined a mentoring program offered through one of the county’s most well-known student- and family-centered non-profits.
HCSO Community Service Officer Jeremy Grindle spear-headed the effort and chose to work with Center Point, an organization which already has a winning formula in place for bringing positive community role models into mentoring roles with area students.
School counselors with the Hall County and Gainesville school systems select children for the program.
Several deputies and civilian HCSO employees will be matched with the students. The goal is for mentors to meet with their students at school once a week.
“I feel like it’s also an opportunity to bridge the gap between law enforcement and our kids,” Grindle said. “A lot of times, the only time they see us is when something difficult is happening at home.”
Center Point Director of Mentoring Marie Davis spent some time training the first group of HCSO mentors last week. One of them, North Precinct Community Service Officer Vickie Burrell, said the reason she attended was simple.
“I enjoy helping others and encouragement,” Burrell said.
Crime Scene Technician Deputy Hilary Tolan said she’s getting involved to assist any student, to help them open up and reach out. “I know how it is being a child without anyone to talk to talk to friend-wise and the bullying.”
With the new school year around the corner, Davis said mentors would meet and be working with their students before fall officially comes.
