Over 50 years ago, the forecast might have seemed gloomy for a teenage Char Specht Pachniak. Luckily, supportive family and a variety of community members saw promise within her and stepped up. Char went on to become a teen mom who didn't take no as the final answer. She explored a variety of careers, and after working as a market manager of three commercial radio stations for 22 years, she retired from the for-profit world. Char then stepped into the non-profit world, working in museums, educational agencies, and environmental agencies.

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Char's passion for making a difference led her to studying and researching the needs of today's teenage girls, and Horizons4Girls (H4G) was born. Through H4G, Char came alive. Making an impact in the lives of students and volunteers helped her find great fulfillment.

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Why do we tell you this story? Because the impossible is possible! That teenage mom graduated, raised a son, and found her dream job where she can help others follow their dreams.

Char works with dozens of volunteers. Many of them are trained, certified mentors, and others volunteer by delivering school supplies and food, tutoring students, helping with various fundraisers, or chaperoning field trips. Our volunteers and mentors come from a variety of backgrounds and are college students, recent grads, working professionals, retired workers, and stay-at-home moms. One thing they all have in common is that they all say how good they feel when a student says, "Thank you for helping me get here," whether that be for a field trip or a graduation.

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Whether you have an hour or two a month, an afternoon every other week, or need an internship to finish that degree, have coffee with Char and let her share a story or two. H4G would be happy to have you join our team!