BloomingKids still going strong after 8 years

Every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, a crowd of IU students gathers at Showalter Fountain, anxiously awaiting the arrival of a few school buses crowded with elementary students. Each week, about 60 IU students volunteer their time for the BloomingKids program. \nEstablished in 1995 by two IU students, BloomingKids focuses on working to prevent delinquent behavior while trying to instill the goal of higher education in its participants at an early age.\nThe program pairs each IU mentor with a local "at-risk" elementary student and has weekly activities for the buddy pairs. Groups of 10 mentors work with their general manager to plan each week's activity around one of three central themes to the program: higher education, culture and diversity, and community service.\nJunior Laura Dunn, a mentor in the program, had been looking forward to becoming involved in BloomingKids for a year before she had the opportunity. Dunn made the decision over a year ago to become a BloomingKids mentor.\n"I heard about BloomingKids through a friend who was in the organization last year," Dunn said. "After the first day, he told me how awesome it was and how excited he was for the year. Twelve months later, I took the plunge."\nSenior Betsey Wiegman volunteers her time as a general manager for BloomingKids. Wiegman's role in the program is similar to that of a supervisor. Unlike the mentors, Wiegman is in charge of keeping the group of mentors and their little buddies organized, as well as disciplining and rewarding the kids for their behavior. \n"As a general manager, I'm not able to serve as a mentor to one specific child," Wiegman said. "But, I like my role because I am able to develop relationships with all 10 children."\nWiegman has been a part of BloomingKids for three years and she said it has been an overwhelmingly positive experience.\n"There are so many things that I love about BloomingKids," Wiegman said. "But I think that the best part for me has been the opportunity to watch this very special group of children grow and change over the past two years."\nAlthough the program was established primarily to focus on elementary students, many of the students involved in BloomingKids feel that they have benefited from the organization as well. \nSenior Kristen Corbett, external president for BloomingKids, said the program has helped many college students learn valuable lessons in their own lives. \n"The children make (the mentors) realize what really matters in life," Corbett said. "A failed quiz, a fight with a roommate, or a late paper does not compare to the adversity some of our children face daily. It makes us realize how lucky (we) are."\nWiegman agreed.\n"We can see the effects of the BloomingKids program in the kids' attitudes towards college, in their confidence in themselves, and in their joy every (week) when they arrive for another BloomingKids activity," Wiegman said. "But I think that it's fair to say that involvement in BloomingKids has had an equally great impact on the program's mentors and staff."\nFor more information about BloomingKids, call 855-2278. Donations can be sent to Student Organization Accounts, Franklin Hall 001, Bloomington, IN 47405. Make checks payable to College Mentors for Kids.