Denver HUD Employees Volunteer to "Adopt a School"

Monday, July 01, 2002
A number of HUD employees in Denver are volunteering their time to help local elementary school students to reach their potential through the Adopt-a-School Program. Each of the six HUD employees volunteers up to eight hours a month at the Swansea Elementary School. This is the third time that the school has been adopted.

[Photo: Patti Zigler works on reading skills with a student.]
Patti Zigler reads with a third grade student.
The adults help improve the children's literacy skills and build self-esteem while serving as positive role models to the youngsters. And as a result, a number of the students say they have come to cherish their time with the HUD volunteers.

The employees -- Angela Escobedo, Tina Lujan, Carla Martinez, Sylvia Sheridan, Sharon Wright and Patti Zigler -- work either in small groups or are paired one-on-one with kids who need extra help. Both Tina and Sylvia work exclusively with Spanish-speaking children.

The employees are given up to eight hours of administrative leave monthly to help mentor the students.

 
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