Original story written by Kim Harris Stowell for the
Volunteer Center of Rhode Island
When
Peggy Germani and Korinne Amelian first met, Korinne
was a shy, adorable 3rd grader at Warwick Neck
Elementary School. Her teachers felt that little
Korinne could benefit from some support and
guidance, as her family was going through hard
times.
Peggy had been a volunteer for many years,
working with children at the Windmill School through
Volunteers in Providence Schools among other things.
She joined the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership's
Warwick Mentor Program in the mid 1990’s, attended
their very comprehensive training, and began acting
as a mentor to young people in her area that had
been identified as needing support.“It took a little
while for us to get comfortable together,” said
Peggy about that first meeting, “Korinne was
somewhat apprehensive at first, but really we hit it
off pretty quickly.” The two spent time together
every week, talking, doing crafts and forging a bond
that was to last much longer than anyone
anticipated.
“Once I got to high school,” said Korinne, “we
had to continue on our own. There wasn’t really a
mentor program in the high school.” So the two would
meet after school, and Korinne continued to rely on
Peggy’s wise, caring nature. When Korinne was 16,
Peggy taught her to drive, and began helping her
explore career goals. “Peggy was the only one I was
talking to about these important things in life. She
was always there for me; I could tell her anything”
says Korinne, adding with a smile, “She was sort of
a nag, though!” A big milestone for the two was
Korinne’s acceptance to college. It was especially
meaningful as she received a scholarship through the
Rhode Island Mentor Partnership itself. Today,
Korinne has a great job in the Risk Management
department of a large bank. She is still going to
school, and is proud of her accomplishments to date.
And, in homage to the wonderful gift she was
given, Korinne is now a mentor herself, to a ten
year-old girl at the same school where she first met
Peggy. “It’s a lot of work!” marvels Korinne, “You
really have to wing it; there are no right or wrong
answers. But I remember very well how much it meant
to me when Peggy showed up every week, and it feels
good to know that my mentee can depend on me, too.”
Being with this pair, you can’t help but notice
the bond they have forged, and the great respect
that each has for it. Peggy glows about how
rewarding the experience has been for her, saying,
“It has really indulged my maternal side. She knows
I’m always there for her. I’m so proud of her and
all she’s accomplished in spite of difficult
circumstances.” As for Korinne, she credits Peggy
with so much of her success, saying “she was the
stability in my life. She is my role model, my rock.
She is the person I would like to be."
