Scott Steiss says he is creating a “different kind of abundance” in his life as a volunteer for the Graduate School of Social Work’s Bridge Project.
DU alum Scott Steiss is a mentor to Vinnie Cruz, a high school student living in South Lincoln Homes, a public housing project.
The Bridge Project is a nonprofit whose mission is to provide educational opportunities to children living in Denver public housing. Steiss, who is a commodities trader for BlueLinx Corp., began volunteering in 2006 as a tutor at Bridge’s South Lincoln site. Quickly, though, he and the site’s administrator both realized that Steiss had more to offer.
“I was more interested in helping the kids with life skills,” says Steiss. “I’d bring in job applications, conduct mock interviews and talk about their goals.”
The site’s director suggested that Steiss also become a mentor. That’s when Steiss met Vinnie Cruz, a high school student living in South Lincoln Homes, a public housing project.
Steiss remembers that their first meeting ended with a unique bonding moment. He had taken Cruz to a Nuggets game and then drove him home.
“At the end of the night, I went to give Vinnie a handshake and he shook my hand in a sort of gangster-style handshake. I’m pretty white,” Steiss jokes, “so he said to me, ‘You can help me with school and I’ll help you with the handshakes.’”
Thus began a friendship that now includes “cheesy text messages,” sporting events and dinners up to three times a month, and lots of straight talk.
Recently, Steiss took Cruz out to dinner to talk to him about his goals after graduation. Cruz is attending the Life Skills Center and should graduate in December. Cruz hinted that he might join the Army. Steiss clearly outlined the path that the Bridge Project could provide, including a full scholarship to college, if Cruz works hard on his grades and entrance exams.
Cruz says he is still weighing his options but believes Steiss has had a positive impact on his life.
“I’m guessing that if Scott wasn’t around, I’d be getting into trouble with kids where I live,” says Cruz. “Scott’s a good guy, and I’m glad I’ve got him as my mentor.”