June 2002
Vol. XVII, No. 6
Volunteers Are Special
Heather Provides Calm Stability
Heather Physioc, a mentor for CYS-Project Together in East Region for over a year, is about to leave for a volunteer teaching mission in Taiwan. However, she has left a lasting impression on a 10-year-old boy, who needs the stability, acceptance and enrichment activities a mentor can provide.
Heather is matched with a 10-year-old boy with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, which severely impairs his social and academic conduct. The therapist requested a mentor who would be supportive, patient and who had "lots of energy" for this challenging child. Heather is just what the therapist ordered and much more. She has met the challenges presented by this high energy child with calmness and an optimistic approach.
She has been supportive and consistent, providing the youngster with fun activities and positive reinforcement. He looks forward to his time with Heather, who keeps him busy with trips to the beach, parks, Discovery Science Center, Family Fun Festival and numerous CYS-Project Together outings.
The boy's therapist has been very pleased that Heather has contacted her consistently, providing a helpful adjunct to treatment. She is also pleased with Heather's whole-hearted devotion to the child, which has helped him tremendously. The boy is more settled, has improved attention span and is getting better at following direction. She has been diligent about follow-up calls to the Volunteer Coordinator and has tapped into CYS-Project Together resources and special outings.
Heather has just completed her student teaching and has received her B.A.
In Memoriam
William "Bicycle Bill" Sauter
William "Bicycle Bill" Sauter, a 13-year veteran volunteer with CYS-Project Together, passed away Saturday, May 17, 2002, at the age of 82. He recently experienced a fall in his home, breaking two vertebrae in his neck and was recovering in a rehabilitation facility.
It was but a week before the fall that he had made his usual call to CYS-Project Together to say he had more bikes to be picked up and noted he had some really good ones too. "Bicycle Bill" refurbished used and discarded bicycles to give to Children and Youth Services (CYS) clients, so they would have transportation to school, therapy appointments and work. Over the years, "Bicycle Bill" made transportation a reality and an important childhood experience possible for almost 500 CYS kids. In fact, CYS-Project Together staff designed a bicycle safety program around Bill's efforts that
degree in early childhood education and psychology from Concordia University, as well as a Lutheran teaching certificate. She is on her way to Europe for a month before starting a year-long volunteer mission in Taiwan, where she will teach English at the Concordia English Academy.
She describes her time as a mentor with CYS-Project Together as a "Great experience! I loved the one-on-one connection which allowed me to build a relationship with the child and have the opportunity to see all of the little steps he took. He is a great kid. I will keep in touch with him by sending
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