Inside Craig Powers’ Main Street office is a package of unopened graham crackers.
Although graham crackers sound like an afternoon snack to many, they are a symbol of gratitude to Powers.
The 31-year-old still remembers the day he received them from a student he was mentoring at North Rowan Middle.
“Last year, I had three boys that I spent time with,” he said. “One of the boys remembered my birthday and brought me a pack of graham crackers. I remember that we had talked about our birthdays weeks before but I have no idea how he remembered.
“It really meant a lot to me.”
Powers has been mentoring with Communities in Schools the past three years.
This year, he moved from North Rowan Middle to Knox.
The city of Salisbury, who Powers works for as a civil engineer, gives employees the opportunity to take one hour each week to mentor.
Powers said his time volunteering with Communities in Schools has been “very rewarding.”
“I enjoy working with youth and know that seventh and eighth grade kids are at a major crossroad in their lives,” he said. “I felt that God opened this door for me for a reason and that I could hopefully make a difference in someone’s life.”