The recipient of this week's Ben's Bell is Howie Adams, CEO of the nonprofit Touch Point Connection, a coaching program for teens.
He was nominated by Touch Point volunteer Lorri Jordan, a retired educator, who described Adams as "a very compassionate and spiritual person who has done lots for the youth in our community."
The program, which began in Tucson four years ago at Amphitheater High School, matches students with volunteer coaches who talk through issues with the teens, allow them to set goals and support the students in reaching their goals.
"What this is about is allowing these kids to believe in themselves and to dream big," said Adams, a retired dentist.
The Touch Point Connection coaching program differs from mentoring in that "mentoring is bringing more life experience, guidance and advice to the conversation," Adams said. "Coaching … relies more heavily on a safe environment, asking powerful questions, setting goals and holding a client accountable for achieving those goals.
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"Coaching is all about the client's agenda," he said. "It's a very viable means of people discovering their own answers for what is true for them."
Adams also volunteers with Tu Nidito, Youth On Their Own, Reading Seed and the Flying Samaritans.
"Both my parents and my in-laws were very philanthropic, not only monetarily, but in the time they committed to changing young adults and they were role models for me," Adams said.
The project
Ben's Bells promote kindness and community. It was started in 2003 by the family of Ben Maré Packard as a way to honor the 2-year-old who died of croup a year earlier. Each week a person who betters Tucson is "belled." Go to www.bensbells.org/BellingForm to submit a name. Go to www.bensbells.org or call 628-2829 for information. Recipients also are featured on Friday's Morning Blend on KGUN 9.
Contact reporter Kimberly Matas at kmatas@azstarnet.com or at 573-4191.
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