Kara Sangiuolo is a fourth year student working on a double major in Biology and Global Public Health. With medical school aspirations, she has been studying for the MCAT. Despite the heavy workload that comes with pre-med, she has made time to be a Head Program Director (HPD) for Madison House’s Youth Mentoring program. 

The House’s Youth Mentoring program pairs student volunteers from UVA with local elementary and middle school students. These volunteers then serve as mentors to the students, developing relationships through after school activities and lessons. Kara notes that the Youth Mentoring program, “brings students together through music, arts, STEM learning, food insecurity projects, and more.” 

Kara has been involved in various programs as a youth mentor since high school. Once at UVA, she became a volunteer for a mentoring program called GEMS (Girls Excited about Math and Science). This university program provides engaging science demonstrations for elementary school students to encourage their interest in science and mathematics. The following year, GEMS joined Madison House as a program site and Kara became their Program Director (PD). 

After being the PD for GEMS, Kara decided to become a Head Program Director (HPD) for Youth Mentoring since it was the parent program to GEMS. “Once I became an HPD for Youth Mentoring, I found out about all the other really cool programs Madison House offers,” says Kara. “Now I volunteer for Medical Services as well!”

Through her role as an HPD, Kara has shown remarkable strength in leading meetings, planning with administrators, and coordinating volunteers toward a collective goal. “Being an HPD for Youth Mentoring has been my first experience in a high-leadership role,” says Kara. “It has been very beneficial for increasing confidence in my ability to communicate well with others as a team.” 

Because of Covid-19, the elementary school where Kara had been directing GEMS did not have the resources to devote to after-school activities. In response, Kara worked hard to shift GEMS to an online platform, giving the school its only after-school program. “It is so rewarding to see the students’ genuine enthusiasm to go home and tell their families about their experiences and what they have learned,” says Kara. 

To learn more about GEMS or the Youth Mentoring program, please contact us at info@madisonhouse.org or visit our website at www.madisonhouse.org/volunteers.

Author: Brady Holbrook; bgh7wen@virginia.edu

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