My Great Job

by Nancy Jiménez
Educational Coordinator

“What do you like most about your job?” This is a question I’m often asked and the answer is always different. Lately what I like most about my job are the moments I get to spend one-on-one with the kids—especially if it’s outside of tutoring. There’ve been a couple times when I’ve taken teens to the library or an internet-café to work on a research paper. The casual feel of the outings are a special treat for me and for the students as well. I think that letting the kids see me in an environment outside of the tutoring center is a great mentoring tactic—it suddenly dawns upon them that I’m a ‘normal person.’ I become real to them. I become their friend. They let down their guard and open up. And most importantly, they begin to trust me. Occasionally, I also get to work with students at the tutoring center when they show up for extra help or if their tutors are absent. It’s a chance to see the students’ abilities and needs firsthand. Better yet, it’s a chance to get to know them. This is why I enjoy picking the kids up after school, too. They tell me stories about their day or their weekend. They share their problems with me and I try to offer thoughtful advice. Sometimes, they even give me advice: like the time one 5th grader suggested I get a ‘cool’ make-over including purple highlights, long acrylic nails, and a tattoo! Needless to say, this advice was unsolicited. It did make me laugh though. And these are the kinds of things that keep me interested in my job. I wonder what connections I’ll make today.

Chocolate buffet and auction a great success

The EV family gathered at the Langham Hotel Boston for a delicious Chocolate Buffet and the exciting end of our silent auction, with bidding heating up considerably as the time was running out. Tutors Esmeralda and Kamille helped out with sign-in and subsequent payments for winning bids. Several former tutors and former tutees or campers joined us, including Carla and her husband; Anthony, and former camper and tutee Latoyia Edwards who MC'd the event. Board member Eric Thompson, who spearheaded the auction, along with former camper and counselor Shelby Pierce, set up the remaining items for the final round of our silent auction. George Bard, whose watercolor of Mt. Mansfield led to some of the fiercest bidding, can be seen here with Program Director Lauren Ravello and Educational Coordinator, Nancy Jiménez. It was fun to see old friends and to meet others who we hope will become friends and supporters. Board Member Jaime de Zengotita, who tutored during college and the first two years of Medical School, was happy to see his former tutee, Anthony. He was also the surprised winner of the first EV Distinguished Service Award for his many contributions,:a framed copy of George Bard's beautiful watercolor of Mt. Mansfield—the original was the object of heated bidding. Board member Anjali Gupta brought along the youngest member of the EV family.
The auction and event raised a total of some $10,000 to help keep our programs for inner-city youth up and running. Many thanks to our sponsors, all those who donated items for the auction, the volunteers who helped the evening run smoothly, and a special shout-out to Eric and the event committee, Carlos and Beth, for their hard work.