June 11, 2010

Excitement abounds as students prepare for graduation and summer. But for the business leaders who invest in the future by being volunteers and mentors at Gesu School — the North Philadelphia, non-selective, independent Catholic school heralded as a national model for urban education — the payoff extends well beyond the important milestone of graduation.

These accomplished professionals from all walks of life become hooked as they see children’s lives changed by people who feel no child should be allowed to fall through the cracks. They are a constant for the children, devoting their free time after school, evenings and weekends to meeting their needs and helping them achieve their dreams.

And it works. The reward of seeing these youngsters succeed and become caring, productive members of society is ultimately more fulfilling than any other investment they make.

Take Bob McAlaine, non-executive chairman of Eastern Insurance Holdings. Four years ago he started mentoring one high-risk child — a youngster who had missed a lot of school while his parents were incarcerated — by helping with homework, taking him to Phillies games and providing a welcome support system for his aunt. Today Bob beams with pride as he watches the boy thrive in our Youngest Scholars program for academically talented children.

Experiencing that metamorphosis has been equally powerful for Karl Wagner, regional vice president for Prudential Financial, who has given so much of himself to one child -- taking him to the beach and mountain trips, helping with schoolwork and performing community service together. Karl feels grateful as he sees this young man transform from an angry, low-achieving 10-year old to an honored Gesu graduate and focused high school student who wants to open a foster home someday.

And volunteers such as Julia Rafferty, an attorney with Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, and Bruce Peacock, venture partner with SV Life Sciences Advisors, get as much inspiration from their young charges as they give. Julia has helped the young lady she mentors discover her talents, set goals and explore her future as she graduates from Gesu, while Bruce offers advice, books and his time to the bright, ambitious young man who hopes to become a lawyer.

Gesu was saved from closure in 1993 thanks to the caring expertise of such business leaders as Win Churchill, managing general partner of SCP Partners, and Mark Solomon, chairman of CMS Cos. The long-term impact is exponential as our alumni give back to the community by volunteering, teaching and mentoring others themselves.

We are infinitely proud of our volunteers and welcome everyone in the business community to join us in this important mission to replace the cycle of poverty with a cycle of success.