In the universe of adults whose work careers (or volunteer time) is focused on improving the lives of children – teachers, social workers, non-profit staffs – it is rare to know if you’ve really made a difference.
But occasionally, a young adult comes back and identifies you as the mentor whose dedication, professional skills and ideas changed his or her life.
Rashaan Rhoden was a Dorchester County student who was referred to Channel Marker’s youth program. His disruptive behavior indicated a need for redirecting his impulses, learning coping skills and receiving positive reinforcement for his good qualities.
Rashaan, now 20, wrote a letter to Arville Johns, his Channel Marker case worker, and read it aloud to him at a recent staff meeting. Tears flowed. It was quite a moment!
While letters like this are few and far between, there are surely many young adults who share Rashaan’s sentiments about the people who changed their lives only they never told you.
June 2018
Dear Mr. Arville,
I’m writing this letter to you to express how much I appreciate you and how thankful I am for you being a part of my life, especially during my teenage years. The bottom line is that you mean the world to me and I love you to death. Channel Marker was a great “safe zone” for me in high school and I’m glad I stuck through it, even though I felt as though I did not need it. My mother knew I did. I can’t speak for all of the Channel Marker county locations, but the one in Dorchester County is the best one and you Mr. Arville are a big reason for that.
Looking back at it, I miss our times together. From the rides to Ocean City to the basketball games at Sandy Hill, there was never a dull moment when I was around you. Whenever my mother and I got into it, I always wished you could just come get me because you knew how to calm me down. It seems as though you just have that effect on kids. Our times together weren’t always dandelions and roses. We didn’t have the perfect relationship, but I can 100% say that we had and still have a quality relationship.
You taught me life lessons and skills that will make me succeed, not only as a person but as a professional such as yourself. Just watching the way you talk to other adults and professionals impressed me. Even watching you handle other disruptive kids impressed me. I admit that patience is an important skill to adapt and I feel as though I improved tremendously with that skill because of you. Other skills I learned from being in Channel Marker are: opening up more in a group setting, being an active leader, and ways to take and give constructive criticism. All of these skills/attributes (and much more) are why I am so successful today.
This upcoming Fall, I will be moving to Orlando, Florida to attend the University of Central Florida’s Graduate Program for Hospitality & Tourism Management. This is HUGE for me. Not only did I get accepted into graduate school, but I got accepted to my #1 college choice! It’s easy for me to thank my advisors and teachers at Frostburg, but I would never have even thought about college if it wasn’t for you. You were my role model in high school. You went to college and you always talked about it to me. So, I decided to focus on college instead of working or joining the military.
I want to end this letter by again saying thank you for caring for me. Obviously, you’ve done more than what I mentioned in this letter, but I just want you to know that I am successful because of you and Channel Marker. This may sound corny but YOU ARE Channel Marker. God did not put you in my life for the money you earned to do a job. You proved that to me numerous times. I love you Mr. Arville (like my own father) and keep up the good work.
Love,
Your Son, Rashaan
Jon Powers says
Dear editor.
How could one not be touched by the beautiful letter shared with us by Ms freedlander. I for one am most appreciative that it was passed along.
Someone is doing some good in this troubled world.
Maureen Scott-Taylor says
Wonderful letter, thanks so much for sharing. For those of us who have volunteered for years; this is very heartwarming.