Helping kids makes woman a hero

Carole Ellermeier is not a firefighter. She is not a soldier, or a doctor. She doesn't put on a cape and tights to fight crime and has never taken a bullet for a president.

However, Ellermeier still is very much a hero to the children she works with as part of the Carol Stream Elementary District 93 mentor program.

The Carol Stream resident has dedicated her time and effort to building the self-esteem and morale of children who "just need a friend" since the program's inception in 2001.

Once a week, she meets with a student during the 45-minute lunch period during which they read, play games or just talk about what's going on in the student's life.

"It's a great opportunity to share time without stress," said Ellermeier. "It's important to give back. These students need a friend, and I enjoy working with them."

She has worked with only two students over the past six years. But for Ellermeier, the program has helped her just as much as it has helped the kids.

"There was one boy who lost his older brother, but he was particularly sympathetic," she said. "When I lost my own husband, he was concerned a lot of the time with how I was feeling."

Ellermeier says her other student "always has a smile on her face," and for Ellermeier, that's one of the best rewards of the program.

"It means everything to me when they say, 'I'm really glad to have you as a friend,'" she said.

Seeing the children grow both physically, mentally and socially is another joy for Ellermeier.

"Watching young people develop better self-esteem and grow more comfortable with themselves is so rewarding," she said. "When my mentees move on, they'll take a little something with them."

The mentor program also serves as an outlet for Ellermeier to make a positive influence on the lives of these students.

"We're someone for the kids to talk to outside their parents, teachers and friends, and it's an extended experience for them," she said. "There are all kinds of challenges, behavioral and academically, and it helps to have the continuity that someone wants to be with them."

This is not Ellermeier's first experience helping out in the community. She was an active member of the PTA when her children were in school, a member of the Carol Stream Historical Society and is involved in various activities through church.

"We're all members of a community," she said. "And we all want to live in a good community. We all have gifts that we need to share. When we all participate, we all win."