"Jessie's Gift" has several meanings. It is the name compassionately attached to two courses taught at Albion College – by Dr. Len Berkey of the Sociology and Anthropology Department, and Dr. Barbara Keyes of the Psychology Department. Both of these courses had their origins as classes intended to give undergraduate students experience in mentoring children, conducting research on the many aspects of mentoring, and presenting research findings at national conferences. Dr.'s Berkey and Keyes received grants in the late 90's to specifically study the effects of mentoring on African American middle school girls. This research had been spawned by an earlier study they conducted on the effects of a district wide anti-bullying program for Albion Public Schools.

The name "Jessie's Gift" was coined by Dr. Berkey after a student of his – Jessie Longhurst – who was killed in an automobile accident in Australia while on a study abroad program through the college. While she was still a student at Albion High School, Jessie had taken a Sociology course from Dr. Berkey. He believed that she had demonstrated an extraordinary level of maturity and other "gifts" and offered her an opportunity to work on the mentoring research program – while she was still in high school. It should be noted that he typically reserved this course for select juniors and seniors in college. She did indeed complete the course which was highlighted by her presenting her research results at a national conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Jessie's Gift Mentors and Mentees

A day after Jessie died in April, 2005, Dr. Berkey, while driving from Lansing to Albion, came up with the idea of calling this class and project "Jessie's Gift", because of the many gifts Jessie imparted to others – compassion, humor, empathy for others, a commitment to the healing of racism, an early sensitivity to the needs of others, kindness, etc. When Jessie's family became aware of Dr. Berkey's idea, they and the college decided that gifts in Jessie's memory be directed to the continuation of the "Jessie's Gift" class, research, and activities for young people in the Albion community. Thus an endowed fund titled "Jessie's Gift" was created to help sustain the mentoring courses at the college in perpetuity. The fund also helps support activities such as an annual Christmas party for the college students, the children they mentor, and guests from the college, public school system, and the community. In 2006, the responsibility to manage the "Jessie's Gift" fund was transferred to the Albion Community Foundation, and Albion College continues to be very much involved.

As well, the National Honor Society students of Albion Senior High School, under the leadership and direction of Ms. Joni Pinkham, started in 2006 a mentoring program under "Jessie's Gift". These students provide academic tutoring and social skills mentoring to children in grades 3-5 at Washington Gardner School. The Longhurst family began an annual tradition this year (2007) by hosting a Valentine's Day party for these mentors and mentees.

In 2007, members of the community approached the Longhurst family with an idea to build and erect a statue that would not only serve as a memorial to Jessie's life and commitment to the community, but more importantly to pay tribute to the efforts and successes of so many people who strive to improve the lives of the children in Albion. The statue itself would include the likeness of Jessie with two children in a pose that would symbolize the importance of our children's futures and our responsibility as adults to provide them with opportunity, connection, dignity, and continuity in their lives.

So, "Jessie's Gift" is mentoring; it is an endowed fund, and it represents the spirit of care and compassion the community of Albion has for its children.