Warner Robin, Ga. - One of the Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) Titans’ freshman basketball players has a strong belief in giving back to local communities, so much so, it landed him a new job this Spring.
Devon Robinson, a 200-point scorer in his freshman season with the Titans, excelled in volunteerism through a service-learning project with Perdue Elementary in the Houston County School District during the fall semester.
The after school program later offered him employment as a program assistant, following months of commitment to mentorship in their classrooms.
Perdue Elementary is adjacent to CGTC’s Warner Robins campus, where student athletes reside, so the convenience of a mentorship program makes sense.
The project was initiated by the elementary school, the College’s Student Affairs Division, and the Athletics Department.
“We love Devon and the relationship we have with CGTC,” said Perdue Elementary Principal, Andy Payne, PhD. “Whether it’s him or other athletes that come, the impact they are making in our students’ lives is wonderful. Devon comes more than any other athlete and not only spends time with his designated class but also in the lunchroom, on the playground, and now at our after school program building relationships with our students. We are blessed to have him in our building multiple times a week.”
Robinson joined other student-athletes in the mentorship service-learning project in classrooms at Purdue Elementary including men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, and football.
Simple acts of helping students with schoolwork, playing games at recess, and providing encouragement helped take kids to new areas of confidence.
Robinson started volunteering because he saw the impact it made on the students to just have someone show up for them, and his desire to be a leader for the younger generation.
“Whether it was giving them gifts or simply listening to them, and spending time with them in class, I know its been helpful,” Robinson said.
Robinson compiled 70 volunteer hours out of the 351 completed by all the student athletes. After seeing how much his impact made for these students, he started to come much more frequently than just his assigned class and times.
“God put it on my heart to start coming to a lot more than just one class, so I just started coming more,” he said, while adding that he wants to see the students he works with to go the heights he’s made it and beyond.
Robinson was at work in his position at the after-school program through the school year and continues to lead the charge for Titans athletics on and off the court.