The Brickfire Mentoring Program, part of the Brickfire Project offers a chance for college students at Mississippi State University to mentor low income students in the Starkville community area.
The Brickfire Project is a non-profit organization that provides childcare, after-school programs, and job and skills training primarily to low income families and has been doing so for over 40 years.
Holly Travis, senior political science and criminology major, began volunteering with the Brickfire Project during her senior year of high school in fall 2012. Last semester, she began a mentoring program within the Brickfire Project where she paired MSU students with one or two students attending Brickfire.
“I fell in love with the kids and saw an opportunity to have a lasting impact on the students,” Travis said.
Hannah Duke, sophomore education major, was also captivated by the students of Brickfire.
“The kids captivated my heart on day one when every single one of them didn’t hesitate to jump out of their seats to give the volunteers and I huge hugs the second we opened the door,” Duke said.
For students to become involved with the program, each MSU student has to commit to volunteering either once or twice a week. These college mentors not only serve as tutors, helping the Brickfire students with homework, but also as positive role models to the children.
Duke said the program helps the Brickfire students stay on track.
 
“Brickfire provides a safe, encouraging environment with mentors and volunteers who help students regularly with homework and ask them about their grades and report cards,” Duke said. 
Anthony Daniels, junior psychology major and volunteer for the Brickfire Project, believes everyone can benefit from guiding the children in the right direction.
“I really think everyone benefits from this program because it gives us an opportunity to lead the young and steer them in the right direction,” Daniels said.
Many MSU students joined the Project as volunteers since last semester, according to Travis.
“Last semester I had 22 students serving as volunteers with Brickfire Mentoring Project and this semester I currently have 41 volunteers,” Travis said.
The students at Brickfire love having the college mentors come during the afternoons. The program is designed to make sure each student has the same mentor consistently. For this reason, the Brickfire students recognize their mentors when they see them.
“The kids at Brickfire love having college students come during the afternoons and they know which college students are ‘theirs,’” Travis said.
However, for senior Travis, this semester will be her last year as a part of the mentoring program, and she is currently working to transition the program to new leadership.
“This is my fifth and final semester at Brickfire Project since I will be graduating in May,”  Travis said. “I truly hope that the Brickfire Mentoring Project will continue long after I leave Starkville.”
Volunteering for the Brickfire Mentoring Project takes place on weekdays. Any student who is interested in becoming a mentor can contact Travis or the MSU call center. If students are not interested in volunteering as a mentor, donations of school supplies, books and even games are welcome.
Travis personally understands the impact that a project like the Brickfire Program can have on students. 
“I grew up in Starkville and I can identify several people who invested in me while they were enrolled at Mississippi State,” Travis said.
Daniels, can also personally identify with the students of Brickfire.
“Every time I go and interact with those kids, I can’t help but to see myself in them. I remember playing outside with my friends at an afterschool program back home similar to Brickfire,” Daniels said.
Travis said she has seen the impact a mentor can have on a person first hand and hopes the Brickfire Program through MSU students will continue to have a long lasting impact on Brickfire students.
“I have personally seen the impact a mentor can have on someone and hope that this program can provide the students of Brickfire Project with a similar impact,” Travis said. 
Travis believes that many students come to MSU fully engaged with their studies and do not take a minute to realize the opportunities that exist within the Starkville community to lend a helping hand and serve those less fortunate than they are.
“Many college students come to Starkville and spend their four years invested heavily in the university with little to no consideration of opportunities to serve the local community,” Travis said. “This program is an incredible way to connect members of the university with members of the community while encouraging young students to remain committed to academics and pursue their goals.”