Lynn K. Loyd
Special to the Valley News
Thanks to the efforts of Community Outreach Ministry co-founders Dr. Mona Salomo-Davies and her husband, STEM Coach Bob, the lives of thousands of children impacted by one or both parents in prison have been improved. The Davies started the 501 C 3 nonprofit organization in 2000 and offer year-round STEM Mentor Protégé Workshops, Breaking the Cycle of Incarceration Workshops, and comprehensive community support referrals for at-risk children in Riverside County. The dedicated team also works diligently to form partnerships with similar-minded organizations such as Give Something Back.
Give Something Back helps students attain success who face significant financial challenges and experienced barriers such as foster care, homelessness, or the incarceration of a parent, according to its website https://www.giveback.ngo. Part of the nonprofit group’s mission is to provide tutoring/academic coaching services to youth as well as financial assistance for college.
On Dec. 2, Give Something Back held its 5th Scholar Dinner that drew numerous teens with a minimum 3.0 GPA whose hard work yielded awards for both academic coaching and tuition assistance.
Award recipient JesiYah Neal had this to say about being a scholar in the Give Something Back program: “I am in the 10th grade at Temescal Canyon High School in Lake Elsinore. I want to be an architect and I am very thankful about what Give Back is doing for me. One day, I would like to help others get a scholarship.”
Anthony Neal-Long, a 14-year-old in 9th grade at Temescal Canyon High School in Lake Elsinore said he appreciates what the organization is doing to help him achieve his goal of becoming an electrical technician.
“I am studying to earn a certificate of completion to become a medical assistant,” said Fayth Ronzello, a student at the Health Staff Training Institute in Temecula. “My career goal is to become an ultrasound technician. The staff at Give Something Back has helped me to build confidence to have a successful future. I am beyond thankful for my mentors and scholarship.”
Elijah O’Leary who is a senior at Tahquitz High School in Hemet is pursuing plans to become a professional photographer and said that “the Give Back Scholarship Award has meant so much to me. It helped me gain skills to become successful and I received encouragement and support.”
College freshman Clarissa Fears, a student at Mt. San Jacinto College at the Menifee campus was another award recipient. The business major is also an entrepreneur who owns My Screen Prints in Lake Elsinore. “I do screen printing on apparel and other products such as mugs, tumblers, puzzles, mouse pads, and much more,” Fears said. “I’m very grateful to receive the Give Something Back award. It means I’m able to gain more knowledge on how to run and sustain my business.”
Two alumni scholar’s Jacori and Jaelin Neal brothers are currently serving in the United States Navy. Christine Brown, LCSW and Give Something Back Chief of Student Programming, had the following to say about the two brothers who have made remarkable achievements over the years thanks to their collaborative efforts with Community Outreach Ministry.
“We are excited for both Jacori and Jaelin Neal to start this new chapter in their lives, but we will miss them being here. They will always be part of the Give Something Back family. We are exceptionally proud of both and look forward to seeing them again soon.”
Visit www.communityoutreachministry.org to see ways to donate to “STEM Mentor Protégé Workshops.” This workshop is helping the youth in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and to qualify students for Give Back. Students as early as 8th grade may contact the ministry office (951)698-7650, mobile (951)231-5515 or info@communityoutreachministry.org to learn about workshops or the Scholars Program.
