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About the Story: How far would you be willing to go to inspire students? A group of school-bus drivers is going the extra mile to motivate students. Nearly two dozen trips and thousands of miles later, Toni Guinyard goes along for the ride as the group plans its next excursion. Destination: college. (TRT: 8:31)

: CASTO; CBS News’ The Early Show’s “Bus Driver a ‘Hero Among Us’” Blog; Godparents Youth Organization; Guideposts’ “Our 3,000-Mile Field Trip” Article; Jack Kent Cooke Foundation; NPR’s “Bus Driver Steers Youth in Right Direction” Article; University of Southern California’s Center for Academic Support; YouTube’s “Godparents Youth Organization’s ‘Life-Changing Trip’” Video Blog; Tags: Education, LAUSD, Philanthropy, Transportation

A Driving Force

Publish date: November 6, 2007
Last updated: February 19, 2008

Reporter's NOTES

Toni Guinyard
In 2002, school-bus driver Tanya Walters loaded some of her toughest (her description) students into her personal van and took them on a road trip across the country. Since then, she and her team of volunteers have taken kids on journeys to everywhere from New Orleans after hurricane Katrina to the thirteen original colonies.

Along the way, the students learn a lot about themselves. Five years, seven trips and 23 states later, her nonprofit group Godparents Youth Organization is on a mission to get inner-city kids interested in going to college.

The college-bound trip is scheduled for December. The program is so successful, groups across the country have asked for her help duplicating the program. They have no idea that Tanya and the other bus drivers are doing what they’re doing on their own dime and in their free time.

Insider Viewpoints

I formed Godparents Youth Organization when I realized that many of the students who boarded my school bus each morning were emotionally and spiritually deprived. They began to confide in me, describing their sense of hopelessness.

They rarely saw anything outside their crime-plagued neighborhoods. From my own experiences from traveling, I knew that exposure to the broader world could make an enormous difference in their lives—and it has.

There have been major attitude and behavioral changes. These young people who might have become society’s “throw-aways” have developed hopes and dreams that they never thought were possible.

Some have now entered four-year colleges; others are building up their grades so that they, too, can go on to college. I know that Godparents Youth Organization has turned around the lives of these youth. We will continue to reach out and offer these experiences to more and more students as we grow, and we are always thankful for the community support that comes our way.

Tanya Walters
Founder
Godparents Youth Organization

COMMUNITY VIEWPOINTS

01.07.2008 | 6:54 pm
Kudos to GYO. To any donors out there, please read the articles about GYO and what they are doing.

Give them your support. I had the opportunity to meet Tanya and her crew when they came to Baltimore, Md., and was able to make the X-mas excursion.

I, too, was blown away. Everyday that I spent there, I thought that it couldn’t get any better–but things kept getting better.

For those in attendance, I’ve certainly felt that they were empowered, educated, uplifted, motivated and inspired to reach for the stars, and that the sky’s the limit.

The youth did not have to go to Oz, looking for anything. GYO helped the youth recognize that it’s already with in them. Again, I say kudos to Tanya and the GYO FAMILY, and I say that because that’s how we were treated.

myatoz - Baltimore, Maryland

12.17.2007 | 1:20 pm
To P.Z.:

Thank you so much for commenting on our blog! The organization is called the Godparents Youth Organization, and you can click on the link under our related resources & links section on the right. I hope this information helped. Thank you again!

L&T Blog Editor - Los Angeles, California

12.17.2007 | 1:17 pm
I was blown away by the story on 12/14/07, “A Driving Force,” the school bus drivers encouraging kids one-on-one to get a college education. How fabulous are these individuals?!

I would like to send them a check to help with their trips and tours of college campuses, but you do not provide any follow-up information for viewers. These devoted school bus drivers deserve to be helped.

Please e-mail me information so that I may make a donation. Thank you.

P.Z. - Buena Park, California

11.07.2007 | 4:18 pm
To Dorothy C.:

Thank you so much for commenting on our blog! You can find contact information for the Godparents Youth Organization by clicking on the link under the “Related Resources/Links” section, which leads you directly to the Godparents Youth Organization’s website.

There, you’ll find the contact info you need. I hope this information helps. Thank you for all your support!

KCET Blog Editor - Los Angeles, California

11.07.2007 | 4:04 pm
Life & Times is an informative, interesting and special program focusing on Southern California. Do not let this wonderful program end. We would all be less informed.

? - Newport Beach, California

11.06.2007 | 8:23 pm
I am very interested in Godparents Youth Organization. I would like to support the bus drivers by donating to and volunteering with the organization. Please send me contact information.

Dorothy C. - Los Angeles, California

11.06.2007 | 8:05 pm
I like the show and I like the new item.

Tallprh - Los Angeles, California

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