DISA Chaplain's Office seeks volunteers to mentor in local elementary school

by Renee Hatcher
Digital Communication Branch
Office of Strategic Communication and Public Affairs
April 22, 2022 

Army Master Sgt. Evens Israel, senior spiritual fitness advisor in the DISA Chaplain’s Office, serves as a role model for Deep Run Elementary students by supporting the school’s reading program.

The DISA Chaplain’s Office is looking to add to its volunteer roster to support a mentoring relationship established in 2019 with the Deep Run Elementary School in Elkridge, Maryland.

“We started participating in the school’s reading program right before the pandemic,” said Army Master Sgt. Evens Israel, senior spiritual fitness advisor in the DISA Chaplain’s Office. “Our goal is to encourage the students to stay in school, help them grow, and become productive citizens in their communities.”

Israel, who spearheads the program, dedicates about four hours a week to this community outreach effort. The program continued throughout the pandemic in a virtual capacity. The Chaplain’s Office strategically agreed to partner with Deep Run Elementary because of the school’s good technology program.

“These young minds could be a good fit for DISA’s internship program sometime in the foreseeable future,” Israel said.

DISA’s Wellness Program also supported this relationship by donating about $3,000 worth of sporting equipment including jump ropes, soccer balls and basketballs, which added to Deep Run’s fitness program.

Army Master Sgt. Evens Israel, senior spiritual fitness advisor in the DISA Chaplain’s Office, joins in the fun with Deep Run Elementary School students using sporting equipment donated by DISA’s Wellness Program.

Employees from the White House Communication Agency also volunteer for the program. Israel said he is seeking more volunteers from the military community to increase the impact of this program.

“This relationship with the school is so important to us because it has the power to impact young minds who are on their journey to finding themselves,” said Army Col. Suk Kim, DISA and JFHQ-DODIN chaplain. “One of the most important determinants in teaching and learning is trust and a belief that each child can unlock their potential. We want to encourage that through human connections and communication.”