Research demonstrates that these skills are fundamental to the successful transition
of youth with learning disabilities into higher education and the workforce,
and the results of these studies clearly show an improvement in these skills
as a result of both students and mentors working with and through Project Eye-To-Eye.
However, it is arguably the words of the students and mentors themselves that
provide the most compelling evidence of efficacy of Project Eye-To-Eye:
Student Comments:
"You won't believe this Mr. D., but there is actually someone who learns like I do! I thought I was the only one."
"I learned that learning can be fun, I never thought that was true before."
"Do you think that I can go to Project Eye-To-Eye for the rest of the time I am in school?"
"My mentor has trouble paying attention and spelling just like me. And we both are smart!"
"I want to be a student just like my mentor."
"I learned that people with learning disabilities can be just as successful as anyone else."
"My mentor found success in school and I will too."
Mentor's Comments:
"The work we have done in Project Eye-To-Eye has, without question, improved
the life outcome of our students, increased their self-confidence, and showed
them a path to higher education that was not there for us."
"Before Project Eye-To-Eye I never thought of my learning disability as something that could be valuable in the world, much less in myself. Now I see that I am a part of a strong community of different thinkers that are going to positively change the world!"
"Project Eye-To-Eye gave me the confidence and skills to not only help my mentee but to also help myself. This work has made me a better student and provided me a path to follow in pursing my future endeavors."
"Eye-To-Eye serves as an essential reminder to me of the value of thinking
in a variety of different ways. I see the importance of doing so in the eighth
graders with whom we work, which allows me to recognize similarities in my
own work at college. I approach my studies at college with renewed enthusiasm
as a result of Project Eye-To-Eye."
"Project Eye-To-Eye is something that I desperately wish I had available to me while I was growing up and developing my self-confidence. Working with the students is not only something that I hope will help them overcome some of the difficulties of their learning differences, but it is something that helps me overcome the shame of my own learning disability."
School Staff Comments:
"The Project Eye-To-Eye mentoring program has had such an immediate impact on the lives of my students. They cherish the time they spend with their mentors and talk all week about their experiences."
"You are making such a profound difference in my students' lives. I have seen a dramatic difference in their approach to school since this program started. Thank you for taking the time to give back to younger kids who learn differently."
"Project Eye-To-Eye has left an indelible mark on our campus and has given both voice and visibility to the LD/ADHD community. Students involved with Project Eye-To-Eye are helping to change the dialogue on our campus about learning differences and inclusive learning environments. Thank you."
Project Eye-To-Eye Family Comments:
"Since my daughter started Project Eye-To-Eye she is like an entirely new student. She used to hate to go to school, but now she wakes up excited to go. She says she wants to be just like her mentor."
"Project Eye-To-Eye was a god send for our family. The program showed us our son would be able to do just fine in school."
"I appreciate that my children are not judged, but accepted for who they are."
"Project Eye-To-Eye's summer program, Camp Vision, introduced my son to a freedom to be creative in a group environment without heavy pressure to perform. I truly feel that remembering his time with Camp Vision this summer gave him a sense of accomplishment and at times, the inclination to push through some of his more difficult moments."
"At Camp Vision, our son was able to let down his guard a little bit with the other children. For the first time, we felt that he had a sense of acceptance while among his peers. Our son also responded very favorably to your camp counselors (he adored them all!!!) which tells me that they must be very patient and nurturing individuals. So often, he feels very misunderstood and alone. He definitely felt that the counselors were on his side and willing to help whenever needed."
