Season of Sharing to benefit Gloria Gates Foundation
By Kristy MacKaben, For the MirrorArticle Photos
Like many children living in Evergreen Manors, Zane Gates grew up in a single-parent home.
Gates never knew his father. His brother Phillip, who is 16 years older, was shot in the neighborhood.
Despite the hardships he faced, Gates overcame them and became a successful doctor who now practices internal medicine in Altoona.
Gates attributes his success to his mother, Gloria Gates, who taught him the value of working hard.
''My mother worked, which was a big inspiration to me,'' Gates said.
Gloria Gates, who died when her son was 22, worked hard and applied for scholarships so Zane could attend St. Rose of Lima Catholic School and Bishop Guilfoyle High School.
''She knew it takes a community to raise a kid. She worked her butt off. She knew it was important to me to get out of the projects and meet other people that were good influences," Gates said. ''She broke the cycle of poverty."
Breaking the cycle of poverty is paramount to Gates, which is the reason he started the Gloria Gates Foundation 10 years ago with the help of several community members.
Funded by United Way of Blair County, the Altoona Regional Health System and private donors, the foundation is a free after-school and summer program for 4- to 12-year-olds at Evergreen Manors.
This year, the Gloria Gates Foundation will receive some extra help from the Altoona Mirror's Season of Sharing. This is the fourth year for Season of Sharing, and the Mirror is hoping the community donates to support the foundation.
''One thing we really like about this charity is it's really by definition homegrown," Mirror General Manager Ray Eckenrode said. ''You have Dr. Gates being someone who was born and raised here. It's something that's trying to make our area a better place to live."
The success of Season of Sharing relies on the response of Mirror readers. Last year, $17,000 was raised for Shriners Hospitals for Children.
''We publicize the cause. It really shows the power of the local newspaper and the people we reach every day. We help educate people about these great causes that are right there in their backyard," Eckenrode said.
''We just rely on people's generosity. The people involved that we pick - they didn't ask us to be selected. They would be grateful with whatever comes of it."
Toni Bilik, executive director of the Gloria Gates Foundation, said she was ''floored" when she found out her organization was chosen as the Season of Sharing recipient.
''It will help in so many ways," said Bilik, adding that grant money pays for salaries, food and needs children have throughout the year, such as backpacks, shoes or school supplies.
''I really think that there will come a day when people will think instead of kids in Evergreen having a disadvantage, the kids in Evergreen will be at an advantage,'' Bilik said.
About 40 children meet every afternoon in the small community room at Evergreen. Penn State Altoona students tutor the children and help them with homework.
After homework, they play on the playground or start a game of basketball.
Bilik said the most valuable part of the program is providing children with a warm, caring atmosphere.
''Zane wanted to return to his neighborhood and help kids who are living there now," she said.
At the start of the program on a recent Tuesday afternoon, Bilik was flanked by a handful of second-graders who excitedly told her about class picture day at school.
She said the children usually are excited to share news every day, and there is a time for announcements.
Many kids look up to her as a parental figure, while others become attached to the tutors, she said.
''These kids are always kissing and hugging me. They need a lot of love and attention. They know this is where you come to be peaceful and get along," Bilik said.
Gates said Bilik and the volunteers make all the difference in the lives of the children.
''It makes them feel good that someone cares about them. They just need people to care about them," he said.
Most days are without problems; however, sometimes, the children need to be disciplined. Recently, Bilik had to suspend two girls from the program for a couple of days after a fight in the community room.
Bilik works closely with parents and keeps them informed.
''Although some kids have a difficult time doing what's right at this point in their lives, we know that the kids are learning right from wrong and will act accordingly as they mature," she said.
These are the types of situations when Bilik not only involves the parents, but also the teachers and principals of the schools the children attend.
''Every kid in here, I know who their teacher is, and we correspond," said Bilik, adding that she talks to teachers about homework, behavior and the children's home lives.
Most of the elementary-age children in Evergreen attend Baker Elementary School. Principal Pat Labriola said a collaboration with parents, the school and the foundation is essential to students' success.
''Without the total collaboration of parent, foundation and school, we wouldn't be able to do it," Labriola said. ''The program is a solid program. It's progressed and become even stronger."
The foundation has made a world of difference for 8-year-old Jacob Herman, who has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Asperger's syndrome, a developmental disorder that affects a child's ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others.
''Having it over there [in the community room] where it's structured and everyone's quiet, it's great," said Jacob's mother, Beth Hemenway.
If it were not for the program, Hemenway said Jacob probably would take about two hours to finish one homework sheet.
''It would be so much harder on the family,'' Hemenway said.
Jacob started in the program when he was 4 years old and has adjusted to the structure and schedule. His 5-year-old brother, Gabriel, also attends the program.
''We have a couple meltdowns on weekends because there's no after-school program," Hemenway said, laughing.
She said she has a close relationship with Bilik, who understands Jacob's struggles.
Sometimes Bilik walks Jacob home early if the noise after homework time becomes overwhelming.
''Having Miss Toni has been wonderful. I can never say enough good about her," Hemenway said. "Being a parent, especially of a special needs child, I have to be able to trust who I'm sending him to. I know if I send my children, she's watching them. She's responsible for them. That takes a huge load off a parent's mind."
Courtney Dell also is impressed with Bilik and the foundation.
Her children Aurora, 7, and Skylar, 6, attend the afterschool program. Dell has noticed that Aurora makes friends more easily and the program has helped Skylar, who is autistic, with social interaction and transitioning.
''It's opened him up to different kids in the neighborhood. Some have accepted him, and they understand why he does things differently," Dell said.
Attending the program has helped Skylar adjust more easily to unexpected changes in routine.
Providing a caring environment while helping children succeed in school, as well as helping children develop into responsible adults, are goals of the program, Bilik said.
''The after-school program provides encouragement, resources and mentors to assist children with homework and study skills," Bilik said. ''In order for children to develop integrity, they must learn and understand the importance of being good people who do the right things.
"At the after-school program, children learn to tell the truth, accept consequences for their actions rather than make excuses, and to get along with other children."
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11-30-08 5:15 PM
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Sounds like a great program that instills much needed values in our young ones today. Who are not getting a foundation of respect for themselvs, love, and compassion needed to devlop a wholsome character. Which often rubs of to other's. There is such a need for many more Gates Foundation Center's.
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