So many Scholars have been through a lot of challenges. I think the more challenges that they’ve experienced, the more important it is having a program like OMD in their life.”

For Lisa Kueng, involvement with OMD comes down to a simple truth. “We never really know how important this can be to someone else’s life. Because, in the end, why are we all here? It’s a fulfilling, meaningful way to be in the world.”

Lisa credits the relationships that she’s built with OMD staff and Scholars during her nine years volunteering with the organization with keeping her motivated to stay involved — even with her busy career and family obligations.

Over the years, Lisa has coached four OMD Scholars, and maintains relationships with each one. Lisa has found that the most important thing for her Scholars to know is that someone has their back, even after their formal relationship ends.

“One past Scholar and I check in with one another on a regular basis. We still do coaching calls even though our OMD coaching relationship has ended, and she comes to me to talk through important decisions.” With others, it’s periodic check-ins such as meeting for lunch and staying connected on social media. And she’s forming a tight bond with her current Scholar, Lucresia Purnell, in this second consecutive year of their coach/scholar relationship.

“So many Scholars have been through a lot of challenges. I think the more challenges that they’ve experienced, the more important it is having a program like OMD in their life.”

“There are so many things that a coach can offer, like professional development and networking skills. But I think it’s more important that Scholars can say, ‘There’s this person I’m not related to who really cares about me and really wants to hear my point of view. There’s someone I can trust to be there for me when I need them.’”

Lisa feels that establishing a strong bond with her Scholar is key to a successful coach/scholar relationship. “It’s a privilege to do this work. In so many ways I’ve learned from and am inspired by my Scholars as much as I hope that I do that for them. The connection we’re making is real.”

She talks about the impact of Scholars on her life. “One of my past Scholars is now attending a four-year college studying to be a pharmacist. She’s one of the first in her family to go to school, so it’s all new to her. We got together recently and I asked how school was going. She said that the program was hard, but she remembered that I often told her that I believed in her, and that helped her get through when she often thought she couldn’t. That meant more to me than she’ll ever know.”

For many Scholars, expectations have been sparse and then they fall by the wayside. I’m really proud to talk about the way OMD makes Scholars feel supported and empowered.”

When Lea Sharpe first became an OMD coach two years ago, she wasn’t sure it was a good fit for her. An unexpected meeting with her Scholar changed her mind.

“When I was paired up with my Scholar that first year I actually thought about dropping out of the program. I thought this is a bad match, and I wasn’t sure how this woman could possibly need me. We’re about the same age and I just thought we didn’t have a lot in common. But one day I was headed to the Saturday coaching session and she called me and said she was going to drop out of school. She was completely overwhelmed. I was like whoa, hey, just wait, let’s talk. So, we skipped the coaching session and I picked her up and took her to lunch.

“We talked through what was going on and tried to organize the chaos she was feeling. As it turned out, we had a lot in common – a lot more than I would have expected. That was the turning point for her feeling comfortable with me and my feeling comfortable with her. From then on, we were able to really build a good relationship. And she did stay in school, thankfully. And here I am, two years later.”

Lea learned two things from that experience: one, OMD is great at matching coaches and Scholars, and two, you have to be open to hearing what’s going on in Scholars’ lives, because there’s often a lot going on.

“For many Scholars, expectations have been sparse and then they fall by the wayside. I’m really proud to talk about the way OMD makes Scholars feel supported and empowered.”

“Part of the key to success is first the expectation that you will succeed. A lot of times people don’t have that expectation and I think that leads to some disappointment and failure. But once that expectation is planted, then you start to think, ‘where do I go and how do I get there’? I think OMD lays that path – that expectation of success – in front of Scholars and provides support to help them get down that path and keep moving forward.”

Lea is inspired by OMD Scholars’ tenacity and drive to succeed. “It’s powerful when you see what scholars are accomplishing against adversity. You see folks who are working full time and supporting children. One Scholar in my group had a fire in her home and they lost everything. She, her husband, and two kids had to find a shelter. But she’s still in school.

“When you think about the things that Scholars are going through and they still show up for all the programs that OMD offers and they support each other, it’s a chain that just keeps going. It’s what is so powerful about OMD.”