LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Joint Base San Antonio senior leaders and school superintendents from three counties joined forces to create a partnership benefiting school children and making a positive impact on the community during a ceremony March 24 at the Gateway Club.
Reaching more than 20,000 children across 23 local school districts, the multifaceted Destination Tomorrow's Leaders program ensures every student, regardless of home environment, has at least one positive role model.
The largest components of DTL are the Adopt-A-Classroom and mentoring programs.
The program aims to improve academic achievement, self-esteem and social competence while avoiding problem and high-risk behavior by providing a relationship with a caring adult friend working to help youth achieve their potential.
Superintendents from 10 San Antonio area school districts signed a declaration during the ceremony pledging their support to DTL.
Keith Toney, a Fort Sam Houston school liaison officer, said bringing everybody together was an important milestone.
"Our local education agencies have a long history of supporting our military children. By signing this declaration, they are agreeing to (adopt) policies and practices inherent in the DTL program" which will lead to a more consistent and uniform mentoring program benefiting all children, Mr. Toney said.
"I am thrilled that this new partnership will allow our relationship with the military to grow even deeper and serve so many more students," said Dr. John Folks, Superintendent of Northside ISD. He added that children in San Antonio face many challenges which can affect school performance.
"Unfortunately, we have many students who, for a number of reasons, don't get to spend a lot of quality time with their parents. Many students live in single-parent homes or with grandparents or other relatives. A lot of our families are struggling financially and parents work multiple jobs just to pay for basic necessities. This can make a child feel very unsettled, which in turn affects their behavior and their grades at school," he said.
Having positive role models, especially from the military, will help students in the district overcome those challenges, Dr. Folks said.
"I can't think of a better role model and mentor for our students than a member of the military. This program has the potential to make an enormous impact on our students and their futures.
"Research shows that just 15 minutes a day of positive contact with an adult makes students feel centered and cared about and increases their self-esteem, reduces their stress and gives them a sense of belonging. This in turn helps young people avoid making risky or dangerous choices," he said.
JBSA school liaison officers will match JBSA members and organizations with local schools requesting mentors or Adopt-A-Classroom participants.
The program is based on the time-tested adage that every child counts, said Lori Phipps, Lackland school liaison officer.
"Our military members are investing in the future of our society. It makes a difference, a difference that for a child in school can boost grades, improve discipline and enable the ability to interact socially. There is always that one person who made a difference in our lives and this is our opportunity to be that person," Ms. Phipps said.
Cindy Ybanez, also a Fort Sam Houston school liaison officer, said DTL extends beyond academics to reach students on a personal level.
"It will be a proactive approach to mentoring, allowing the student and the mentor to discuss issues (important) to the student. Studies have shown that a large and growing segment of our youth lack a caring, responsible adult in their lives. DTL can help fill that void," Ms. Ybanez said.
For more information, or to participate in a mentoring or classroom adoption program, contact a JBSA school liaison officer:
Lackland
Lori Phipps
671-3722
Randolph
Wanda Cooper
652-3060
Fort Sam Houston
Cindy Ybanez/Keith Toney
221-2256/2214