Galloway Shares Her Heart with Power of One

In coordination with the Recognition and Rewards Committee of the ECU Staff Senate, the Pieces of Eight series honoring exceptional ECU staff members recognizes Kay Galloway.

By Judy Currin

Kay Galloway knows firsthand that the Power of One Program does make a difference in a child’s life. The youth program, offered through Communities In Schools of Pitt County, links at risk children with an adult mentor.

Galloway, ECU’s Central Ticket Office manager, has been involved with the program for more than a year.

“When I found out about Power of One,” Galloway said, “I knew it was the perfect volunteer opportunity for me.”

Without children of her own, she used to spend time with her nieces and nephews, who have now grown up and moved away.

“I like having children in my life,” she said. This program allows me to spend time with a child and hopefully make a difference in her life.”

Jennifer Boyd, the director of Power of One, interviews interested volunteers. Volunteers and children who wish to participate in the program fill out paperwork that includes a section listing their particular interests. A training session is provided for the volunteers.

“It gives you additional information about the program and prepares you for some of the issues you may face when working with an at-risk child,” she said. “The commitment you make is to spend at least two hours a week with the child.”

For more than a year, Galloway has mentored 14-year-old Courtney, an eighth grader with “an amazing spirit....We really have fun doing things together,” she said. “I’ve seen progress in her school work as well.”

Last year Galloway created an incentive program to help Courtney with issues she was struggling with in school. “I told her if she could maintain a certain behavior for a month, I would allow her to have a sleep-over at my house and invite some of her friends,” Galloway said. “She met the challenge.”

The time they spend together may involve baking cookies, working on a craft or taking in an age-appropriate free movie offered at Mendenhall. Last year one of the local dance studios donated hip-hop lessons for Courtney. Galloway provided transportation.

“The trips back and forth to her lesson gave me a chance to see her more often, even if it was for shorter periods of time,” she said.

Galloway said many of the children come from households with large families.

“Sometimes they just want to hang out at home with you where it is quiet,” she said.

“There is a real need for mentors,” Galloway said. She said the program has 12 boys and two girls who would benefit from some positive attention from a role model, especially the males.

“Kay Galloway is one of our most valuable mentors,” Boyd said. “She has given Courtney more than just her time, she has shared her heart.”

According to Boyd, Courtney has “improved in school and in her attitude, as a direct result of Kay’s positive impact and consistent involvement. They are quite a team,” she said. Kay is only one person, Boyd said, but she has still “made an impact in many ways in Courtney’s present and future success.”