NOTE: As of Feb. 29, 2024, Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC) has rebranded to Landmarks for Families. Our nonprofit, community programs and residential services remain committed to cultivating thriving youth and families in this new chapter.
April 12-18 is Points of Light National Volunteer Week, a week in which we celebrate volunteer service and acknowledge those groups and individuals affecting positive change in their communities. All week we will be spotlighting CYDC volunteers on our Facebook page and in our blog. Today Friday, April 17, we recognize Bakker Career Center mentors Travis Shipp and Stephanie Kimbrell.
Volunteer Spotlight Friday, April 17
Who: Travis Shipp and Stephanie Kimbrell
What: Mentor youth in the Bakker Career Center
Why do you volunteer? Travis Shipp: “I volunteer because I love to see kids succeed.”
Why do you volunteer? Stephanie Kimbrell: “I volunteer to enhance the lives of these super star kids.”
Volunteer Spotlight Thursday, April 16
Who: Jody and Steve Martindale
What: Mentor youth in the Bakker Career Center.
Why do you volunteer? “We volunteer because we want to make a difference!”
Volunteer Spotlight Wednesday, April 15
Who: Courtney James
What: Has been mentoring youth in the Bakker Career Center since October 2014.
Why do you volunteer? “I volunteer because I enjoy helping others.”
Volunteer Spotlight Tuesday, April 14
Who: Meghan Bornstein
What: Mentors CYDC youth in the Bakker Career Center.
Why do you volunteer? “I volunteer because I have lots of love to share! I am a concerned, committed CYDC board member looking to gain insights from staff and mentees about what their critical concerns are for the children and the organization.”
Volunteer Spotlight Monday, April 13
Who: Connor McIntyre, Six Sigma Black Belt, Cummins Turbo Technologies.
What: Volunteers with the CYDC Motorsports STEAM Mentorship program.
Why do you volunteer? “I volunteer because it’s fun and the kids are great!”
How did you get involved with CYDC Motorsports? All in all this began back in 2012 when I was participating in a company Christmas party at CYDC with the kids. At this party we collected presents for the children and had an employee dressed up as Santa. It was my observation that the children were not all that interested in the toys. I sat down with one student who I ended up spending 3 hours talking to about NASCAR. He knew everything: every driver, car and race – I was impressed. It dawned on me that he was not interested in the toys but interested in talking and building a relationship. That night I told myself that I would help build a more meaningful relationship between CYDC and Cummins; one that leveraged the individual talents and abilities, hence the creation of CYDC Motorsports.
How has volunteering at CYDC impacted your life? Wow it is the best part of my week! This has been the best (community involvement) project I have ever been a part of. I must talk to someone about this project almost every day. Connecting with the volunteers and the kids has been a huge joy for me and something I am very excited about.
