Events

Sgt. Mark “Sarge” Mitchell is a U.S. Army Iraq War veteran, advocate, and founder of Combat News, a veteran-led media platform focused on telling the truth about military service, veteran needs, and public policy impacting the veteran community.

After serving with distinction—including experiencing the realities of combat—Mitchell has dedicated his post-military life to continuing the mission in a different way: amplifying veteran voices and pushing for practical solutions to the challenges veterans face when they return home.

Villa of Hope Work-Based Learning & Community Development Program

The Villa of Hope Work-Based Learning and Community Development Program is designed to prepare students for successful, independent futures by connecting education with meaningful, real-world career experiences. The program focuses on ensuring every student has the opportunity to build on their strengths, develop professional skills, and graduate with a clear pathway toward college, employment, military service, apprenticeships, or skilled trades.

The program emphasizes the development of confident, responsible young adults who understand the importance of professionalism, leadership, and lifelong learning. Students gain hands-on experience through career exploration, workplace opportunities, and community-based learning that build both technical and interpersonal skills needed in today’s workforce.

Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, the program will launch a student-run Marketing Department offering practical experience in photography, graphic design, digital marketing, journalism, branding, and communications. Students will document events, create promotional materials, manage digital content, and build professional portfolios to showcase their work.

College and Career Readiness instruction provides students with foundational employability skills, including resume development, interviewing, communication, teamwork, workplace ethics, and financial literacy. These skills are reinforced through mock interviews, career portfolios, and direct engagement with professionals from a wide range of fields.

Students who are ready may advance into an Applied Transition Class, where the focus shifts to real-world application through internships, paid work experiences, mentoring, and leadership opportunities. This stage also includes instruction in independent living skills, budgeting, transportation, and long-term career planning.

Career exploration is a core component of the program, with students exposed to professionals across industries such as skilled trades, healthcare, law enforcement, education, business, and public service. These experiences help broaden awareness of career pathways while reinforcing that all careers hold value.

Leadership development is embedded throughout, including participation in the Leading in Crisis Leadership Academy, where students practice decision-making, collaboration, and communication in high-pressure scenarios.

The program also connects students to community resources and workforce development supports, including ACCES-VR and the Rochester Construction Training Center, to expand access to internships, training, and career pathways.

Overall, the Villa of Hope Work-Based Learning and Community Development Program provides students with the skills, experiences, and support needed to transition successfully into adulthood while contributing meaningfully to their communities and future workplaces.

Dan Mason was born in Webster, New York, and graduated from McQuaid Jesuit High School in 1985. He later earned a degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1989. His love for baseball began at age five, when he attended his first game at Silver Stadium with his father and was captivated by outfielder Tommy Shopay’s diving catches.

Mason joined the Red Wings in 1990 as an unpaid intern, starting with a task to call businesses in the yellow pages to sell tickets and advertise for the team. Within five years, at just 27, he became the youngest general manager in Triple-A baseball. Over the years, he has been recognized as International League Executive of the Year three times (1996, 1997, and 2012).

Under Mason’s leadership, the Red Wings have earned multiple national honors, including:

• John H. Johnson President’s Award (2004) – MiLB’s highest franchise honor

• Bob Freitas Award (1997) – Triple-A operational excellence

• Larry MacPhail Award (1997) – Outstanding promotional efforts

• Prism Award (2006) – Excellence in franchise management

• University of Massachusetts Ballpark Digest Ongoing Excellence Award (2008)