MENTOR A CHILD
Steven



I'm a volunteer for Larimer County Partners. They are an organization that matches adults with at-risk youth, kind of like Big Brothers/Big Sisters. In September 1998, I was matched with Steven, one of the coolest kids on the planet.

Steven was 10 years old when we were matched up and he loves to ride bikes more than anything else in the world. He also loves the Green Bay Packers with a passion that is unfathomable.

On our first day together we went for a bike ride, then we went to downtown Fort Collins to look through the Octoberfest booths, where Steven picked up a free t-shirt and a frisbee. We spent the rest of the day with Nat at an SCA equestrian and archery event. Steven competed in the archery competition. We had a blast.

Since then Steven and I have done all sorts of things together. We have frequent sleepovers, when Steven usually brings homework for us to help with. We like to go to movies, and go bowling, and out for pizza. We've done some woodworking and antique furniture restoration. We participate in a lot of the Partner's sponsored activities, like cutting Christmas trees, wall climbs, and parties.

This is a picture of Steven and I making a cradle for my baby. After we finish it I'll put in a picture of the finished product.

In June of 1999 we participated in the Partner's Superstars competition. Well, to be more exact, Nat and Steven participated, and I cheered from the sidelines, since I was a little too pregnant to play myself.

Pictures from Superstars:
The three legged race
Jungle volleyball
Steven with team caption Steve Smith and other members of the River Racers team
Steven wearing flippers in the "Spaz" relay.
Tug-o-war
The caterpillar
The River Racers pyramid

Stephen loves to play football:
In uniform
With the team
Team photo
Team photo
Team photo

More pictures of Steven playing football:




My favorite times with Steven are when we're just hanging out together, with no specific agenda. I love talking to him, sharing with him, just being with him. We have learned a lot from one another, and I know we'll keep learning in the years to come.

June 10, 2000
The Young Eagles are a group of private pilots who give kids who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity a chance to fly planes. Steven had never been in an airplane before, let alone flown one. His instructor, Dr. Dean, said he did really great! Other than takeoff and landing, Steven flew the whole time. After the flight they gave him a certificate and entered his name in the "World's Biggest Logbook" in the Museum of Aviation Adventure.

Steven flew an RV-4.

Steven joins the Young Eagles. He looks a little nervous. (larger)
Dr. Dean is Steven's instructor for the day. Going over the basics. (larger)
Getting strapped in. (larger)
Taxiing out. (larger)
There they go! (larger)
Coming in for a landing. (larger)
Thumbs up! Way to go, Steven! (larger)

June 11, 2000, at the Renaissance Festival
Opening ceremonies (larger)
Pygmy and William waiting for the gates to open. (larger)
King Henry and Queen Anne welcome one and all to the faire. (larger)
William asks the Queen if she gets her head cut off after the festival is over. (larger)
The royal procession: ladies in waiting. (larger)
Our hero: James the Red. (larger)
Giant puppets. (larger)
Musicians parade past Mardene, Nat, and William. (larger)
Randy and Steven battle it out to see who will be King Of The Log. (larger)
Jenine, Nat and William go for a ride on an elephant. (larger)
Whee!! (larger)
The jousting tournament. (larger)
Ah, the old throw-sand-in-the-other-guy's-eyes trick. (larger)
Steven doing his King Henry impersonation. (larger)

Make a difference in a child's life. Partners has chapters in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park. There are also organizations in other counties. Look them up in the phone book and call today.

All material is © Jenine Abarbanel. Don't be a jerk.