Denton transplants share life experiences
Linda Ladimer, pictured with Camil (left photo) and Brittany (right photo), has been a CIS mentor for five years.
After more than three decades of managing a successful entrepreneurial venture together, David and Linda Ladimer know exactly what it takes to operate as a team – a skill they have adapted to support their shared love of community service as volunteer mentors with Communities In Schools of Lexington/Davidson County.
“Our neighbor and friend, Liz Roland is a mentor and brought the program to our attention,” said Linda Ladimer, who has touched the lives of a total of six young women at South Davidson Middle and High schools since she joined CIS five years ago. “We have always volunteered our ‘free’ time. We worked for nine years at the North Carolina Zoological Park as rehabilitation volunteers. We decided to turn our efforts locally and see where it went.”
The Ladimers, who have been married for 44 years and are transplants to the Denton area from New York City, were thrilled by the chance to share their unique perspective with young people. They especially wanted to focus on students who may not have the luxury of experiencing much of life beyond their small town.
“We have come to realize that there is not a level playing field for kids when it comes to being encouraged and to using their potential. Our kids are both grown and have had the tools to make their way in life. We wanted to give our parenting, and now grandparenting, skills to children who have not been as lucky,” said Linda Ladimer. “We spend our time sharing their interests as well as ours. We are not locals so we try to open their eyes to a world outside of Denton.”
“The Ladimers bring a ‘cosmopolitan’ viewpoint that is needed with many of the students. There are opportunities in the world, however, we all suffer from the same issue – you only know what you have experienced or read,” said Kevin Firquin, CIS site coordinator for South Davidson Middle and High schools. “David and Linda bring in experiences and ideas that open the world to their students by bringing an awareness of possibilities outside a rural setting.”
Linda Ladimer meets weekly with Brittany, a twelfth grader, Aquavajah, a sixth grader, and Hunter and Camil, both seventh graders. She also keeps in touch with former CIS students, Ny’Alajah and Annie. Both girls are completing high school in alternative programs.
David Ladimer, who joined CIS two years ago, is currently working with two boys at South Davidson Middle School. Trent, an eighth grader, and Chris, a seventh grader, each have shown marked improvements socially and academically. The threesome meets together to encourage both boys to develop self-esteem and communication skills.
“David and Linda focus on having the students take some accountability for themselves. This applies to their school tasks as well as personal development. They work on communication skills and demonstrate an interest in their mentees as people,” said Firquin, noting that people who choose to mentor along with a significant other often experience unforeseen benefits. “They can support each other when times with the students are difficult.”
Outside of the school environment, both David and Linda Ladimer make a point to share their experiences as mentors with others.
“We have encouraged our friends and neighbors to join the mentoring program. We have added two new volunteers to the South Davidson program,” she said. “It is a privilege to share our lives and experience with kids who have not seen much of the world.”