Volunteer Mentor Receives George H.W. Bush Points of Light Inspiration Spotlight Award
Mary Anne Flanagan
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program mentor Milagros Betharte was honored as an Inspiration Spotlight at the 2020 George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards ceremony on Saturday. Milagros was featured as a member of the Inspiration Honor Roll, where frontline responders and everyday citizens were recognized for demonstrating the courage and conviction to create positive change and tackle unique challenges in their own communities.
Over the past four years, Milagros has dedicated her time to tackling unique challenges in the community. As a volunteer with RSVP, she mentors young people in the juvenile justice system, helps people with conviction histories repair their NYS Division of Criminal Justice rap sheets, and tutors math.
You can watch the segment where she was featured, introduced by acclaimed country singer and actress Reba McEntire, below:
Milagros joined RSVP during her retirement after 31 years as a teacher. She is one of over 100 volunteers serving in RSVP’s signature program, Mentoring Youth of Promise (MentorUP), which works with youth in alternative-to-incarceration programs. As a mentor, Milagros works one-on-one with mentees in the South Bronx, providing them not only with the academic skills to help them pass the High School Equivalency (HSE) exam, but also helping them build self-confidence. Her work includes tutoring math and test-testing skills. Thanks to Milagros, over 35 students passed their HSE and many have gone on to college, including one now attending Columbia University.
“I wanted to be a mentor and help a community that needs lots of support," Milagros says. "I like seeing the results of my work—students become engaged in learning, pass the HSE, and go on to continue their education.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Milagros continued her service work by tutoring over Zoom. She quickly had to learn new technology to ensure her mentees were not left feeling isolated or disconnected. Milagros wanted to be sure young people still had access and resources to continue their work together. Each week she and her mentee log on to Zoom, where they give updates on what's happening in their lives and discuss their academic work. She wants to be sure her mentees do not get left behind in their studies and stay motivated.
Milagros also helps recruit volunteers to be a part of the RSVP mentoring program, so that as many young people as possible can have a mentor.
“I think volunteering is really important,” she said. “I had mentors help me in my life and now I want to give back.”
Interested in becoming a volunteer mentor? Contact Mary Anne Flanagan at mflanagan@cssny.org.