UC mentor program hosts laptop giveaway

Students from the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine recently gathered for a night of celebration as they reunited with the children they have been mentoring through the UC Med Mentors program. The event marked the end of the school year for Cincinnati Public Schools and included the distribution of laptops to the kids as they head into summer break.

Charles Cavallo, MD, a College of Medicine alum and practicing pediatrician, now serves as president of the UC Med Mentors Advisory Board. He described the mentoring organization as "an all-encompassing program." It began in 2001 and pairs medical students with elementary or high school students across CPS.

"Our medical students study with the kids, encourage them to do their schoolwork, sometimes tutor them, and of course, they take them to fun outings and restaurants and things like that," Cavallo told Local 12.

Brandy Hill, a parent with two daughters in the program, praised its impact. 

"I just was telling her yesterday how what she does for work really inspired my 11-year-old to go even harder in school to become a nurse," said Hill. "I don't consider them a mentor anymore. I consider her a sister for them."

Claire Scott, a mentor, shared her experiences with her mentee, Krioni Greene. 

"We went to the pool, and we went to the zoo," said Greene.

"It's a way for me to kind of connect my passion for pediatrics and helping kids. Getting to know Krioni and Arianna has really been a blessing," said Scott.

At the end-of-year celebration, 21 CPS students received brand new laptops. 

Read what Cavallo told Local 12 about why the computers are important.

Featured image at top: UC Med Mentors and CPS students gather for a group photo with some of the children holding their new laptops. Photo/Megan Burgasser/UC Media Relations + Content.