Co-Chair Kirsten Heinemann, Stimson Social Worker David Perkins, Co-Chair Brian Ziegler and Virginia Gonzales, at the recent Mentoring Matters Conference.
Social Worker David Perkins has been named the winner of the 2008 Excellence in Mentoring Achievement Award from the Long Island Mentoring Association. Perkins is the program coordinator of Project Excel at the Henry L. Stimson Middle School in Huntington Station.
The vision and leadership provided by Perkins enabled the initiation of the Project Excel program at Stimson Middle School more than 10 years ago. Each year he works diligently with about 30 students to support their academic, emotional, and social development. He has also created connections with Stimson parents and seeks their participation in the program.
As part of this program, he has forged relationships with more than 30 mentors, who provide one-to-one guidance to Stimson students. Perkins has also introduced summer employment for many of the Project Excel youngsters through a collaboration with the Suffolk County Department of Labor.