Rev. Pamela Bates Porch

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Rev. Pamela Bates Porch is a retired educator who spends her time volunteering with local school children. (Photo Courtesy of Pamela Bates Porch)
Rev. Pamela Bates Porch is a retired educator who spends her time volunteering with local school children. (Photo Courtesy of Pamela Bates Porch)

Occupation: Retired Educator

Why does she stand out?

In 2008, Reverend Pamela Bates Porch retired after a 35 year teaching career.

Soon after, Porch found herself back in the classroom, not as a teacher, but as a mentor. She directs the For Girls Only group at Caldwell Academy located on Chicagos Southeast Side. The group was created by the schools principal, Danielle Spicer, to help at-risk young women.

We focus on girls grade 3 to grade 6, Porch told the Chicago Citizen. They will stay with the group until [they] graduate from the school. The focus is on consistent impact over a long period of time. We hope to see the fruits of our labors by celebrating their school improvement, reducing and handling conflict, developing leadership skills, eliminating instances of bullying and to improve the quality of the school success.

For Porch, an ordained minister, volunteering is an act of selflessness. She said volunteerism is critical in communities of color because it gives a voice to the voiceless.

Porch is also a member of several service organizations including Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.

To be of service allows us to expand our lives and focus [on] the greatest need allowing those you serve to know that you care, she said.

by Thelma Sardin

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