According to Trinity River Mission mentor Amber Green,
“According to The National Mentoring Partnership, 1 out of 3 youth are growing up without a mentor (https://www.mentoring.org/why-mentoring/mentoring-impact/), and unfortunately less than 25% of students currently enrolled in the Believe And Achieve Program at Trinity River Mission (TRM) have been matched with a mentor. This means that there is a dire need for caring, compassionate, and consistent individuals who are willing to step up to the plate and serve as mentors.
“As a mentor of two very promising young ladies, Lesly (8th grade) and Daisy (10th grade), I can say from personal experience that it is a tremendous honor to serve as a role model and member of your mentees’ support systems. Most volunteers, just like me, begin the mentoring journey by putting on their cape and setting out to change the lives of the young people with whom they have been matched. However, you do not initially realize that you are also—unknowingly—agreeing to have your own life positively impacted by your mentee(s).
“Some of my most draining days have been brightened by spending one to two hours with Daisy and Lesly. We are continuously and simultaneously helping each other become stronger, more determined, and all-around better people. When I remind them just how amazing they are, they find sweet ways to remind me just how amazing I am. When I study with them outside of scheduled mentoring days, they are sure to let me know just how much my time is valued. In moments like these, I am reminded that mentoring is not about having all of the right answers and this unrealistic façade of perfection. It is more about authenticity, time spent, and memories made.
“All in all, mentoring is fueling and inspiring the current generation of youth and will do the same for the next generation of leaders and change makers. THIS is the ongoing power of mentoring and why you (yes, you) should get involved as a mentor at TRM. To learn more and to sign up as a volunteer, please visit TRM’s website at www.trinityrivermission.org/join-our-trm-family.
“NOTE: If you are interested in volunteering in other capacities with TRM, we also offer literacy and math tutoring as additional options.”
* Photo provided by Trinity River Mission
