Mother’s Pain Eased by ARK
Mentors
 The staff at the ARK Center for Abused Children met Sandy when
she signed up one of her adopted children to be paired with
a volunteer adult for tutoring, mentoring, and Saturday “FunDay” events.
Through the ARK program, foster children are paired with volunteers who undergo
extensive training and commit to a minimum of one-year to mentor
a foster child a supportive, stable and secure environment.
Sandy had every quality that a foster mom should have. She
was devoted to the five children that she adopted, in addition
to her own three biological children. She was a delight to
be around. When you met her you knew this was one of those
rare people who could change your life just by being in her
company.
Two years ago it was discovered that Sandy had cancer. Because
of the circumstances two additional mentors were recruited
for Sandy and her family. The mentors knew they would be
taking on an additional responsibility and were more than
willing to be there for both the children and Sandy as she
went through her treatment.
Unfortunately, Sandy lost her battle with cancer this year.
For the adopted children this was the second mom they were
to lose. At the funeral, the ARK program director felt an
overwhelming sadness for this family’s loss. But as
the children’s three mentors came and sat beside her,
she was comforted knowing that the mentors were there for
the children not only that day, but for as long as they were
needed.
So many times, especially near the end of her life, Sandy
thanked the director for the ARK mentors. As a mother she
could only imagine what Sandy would be thinking now, but
she knew Sandy was grateful that someone had been there for
the children while she went through the difficult process
of saying good-bye and letting go.
The mentors continue to be a support and comfort to the
children and to Sandy’s husband, Don, as they attempt
to go forward. Although the ARK mentors couldn’t change
the course of events, they could alter how it will ultimately
affect the outcome. That’s what ARK Services for Abused
Children is all about.
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Jeri Boykin is a single mother who is passionate about her
work as a caregiver to medically fragile patients. When she
spoke about a patient who may soon pass away, Jeri was moved
to tears. “I love my work,” she told the 50+ people
who attended a Beach Cities YMCA meeting, “but if not
for the YMCA’s help, I could not afford to work.”
