Noble Purpose Project

Unity Church of Venice has a Noble Purpose Project. The Board of Trustees chose to identify a community need and in a focused and intentional way impact that need. The project for the past two years has been the "Decisions to Win" program. DTW is a one on one mentoring program directed to high school youth at risk of not graduating. Our church members are matched with a student and they meet with that student at school once per week using a workbook to support and create positive outcomes for the student.

The impact that Unity Church has had on the program is miraculous. Unity has provided the highest number of volunteer mentors for program. DTW went from being offered at two schools, to eight schools.

Of those students that completed DTW and were seniors, 92% obtained their diploma in 2008. This is an astounding statistic for youth identified as at risk of not graduating.

This year, 30 Unity Church of Venice members and friends were matched with high school students in the Decisions to Win program at Lemon Bay, Venice, North Port, Triad S. and Riverview high schools. Here are excerpts of what Decisions to Win students wrote about their mentor. All of these students were mentored by Unity members.

"What I love most is my mentor motivates me. She’s motivated me to find a second job and pass Algebra 2. She helped me find a tutor for algebra and on the third time I finally passed. My mentor also helped me put all my references together and that week I got hired at Cracker Barrel. "

"At first it was hard to open up to her, not knowing what she would think of me or how she would react, but once I did, I could feel weights being lifted off of my shoulders and pressure off of my chest. She’s a beautiful person, inside and out, and so very giving to sacrifice time out of her life and work, to sit for an hour a week and just talk to "some kid" like me about life and goals.

"I used to be depressed, my self-esteem was low, and I felt like I was trapped. Not only have I seen an improving change in my attitude, and ways of doing things, I have seen a great improvement in my home life. My mom and I used to fight all the time for hours at a time, and now we rarely fight anymore; we actually are becoming good friends"

"I didn’t believe that having a mentor would change the way I think. I enjoy spending time with my mentor because I’m so used to listening to other people and the situations they are in that no one has ever asked me what’s going on with me."

Our Unity members have been impacted as well. Here are a few statements that they sent in about their mentoring experience:

My experience as a mentor for the Decisions to Win program has far exceeded my expectations. When I see a student have a more positive outlook on her life, herself and her decisions. I feel so blessed by the student, teachers, my mentee and recognition by the community. Pat Curtis

The mentoring program brings growth, hope, purpose, and renewed self-respect to both parties involved. You cannot buy what will be received from this program . . . priceless. Martha Scott

I knew The right and perfect student would come to me, and she did. We both received unbelievable gifts from the mentoring experience." Trish Worth

"It was such a blessing to work with my student this past school year that we have continued with contact through the summer. We will also continue meeting in school when it resumes again. She had no hope of graduating or receiving a diploma in the beginning of this program and that has all changed. Thank you God!" Laurie Eittreim

The students that I have worked with often say "That makes sense, but I never really thought about it before." They are discovering that there is a way for them to organize decision making to create good, life changing decisions. It is scary for them to realize the lack of thought they have put into past decisions but also empowering when they see that they can thoughtfully direct those decisions. Decisions To Win is a powerful and effective program. Don Russell

I have mentored at North Port HS for 2 years and would like to say it's an amazing connection to find teenagers opening their hearts and confiding in you. The rewards from this program will hopefully follow these kids throughout their lives. It was special to be a part of it. Paula Galatro