This morning I read an article about a young woman that will be attending Harvard to study law this fall. Her story was different because she was born in prison. Shortly after she was born her father took her home and raised her as a single father. They moved a lot, but always remained in the same county. When she was a child, the school she was attending saw a need for something extra in her life, they contacted a local mentoring program much like The Mentoring Network. It was through that program that she met a lifelong supporter and friend. The mentor became an instrumental part of her life, and always encouraged her to be her best. Over the years, as you can imagine, they built many memories together and had moments they will forever treasure. Most recently, they toured the Harvard campus together. I was touched by this story, because I know that without her mentor this story may have a very different outcome.
Recently I also read the following:
A big shout out to all the kids who didn’t win an award, make honor roll, and barely made it through the school year. A big hug to the moms, dads, grandparents, caregivers, and foster parents that stuck by them as they maneuvered the school year.
To the kids that didn’t get invited to the prom, didn’t get a scholarship to college, and perhaps have to go straight to work out of high school….you are still worthy of a pat on the back and a facebook post with people talking about how AMAZING you are!
Some kids have to work twice as hard as other students, just to get a C. Their achievements deserve recognition. Some have had losses and traumatic experiences. They have managed to make it to the end of the school year.
Don’t forget those kids.
Two stories that are extremely different, yet both end with outcomes to celebrate! Every child is extraordinary in unique ways. Whether they end up at Harvard, or worked extra hard just to achieve a passing grade, they deserve to be recognized and honored. How fortunate are we to be the mentors that are there to celebrate with them?
I was left thinking, I wish there were a story honoring the difference that each mentor makes in the life of a child. And then I realized there is. It may not be published for the world to read, but it exists. It exists when a mentee crosses the stage at graduation and the mentor is there in the crowd with tears in their eyes. It exists when a principal, teacher, or counselor tells a mentor that their mentee has improved in behaviors or attendance. It exists when a smile reaches the eyes of a child that didn’t have anything to smile about before. It exists when a mentee asks their mentor “do you remember when…”. As the school year ends I hope you take some time to reflect on the moments worth celebrating, and the difference you are making in the life of a child. Your gift of one hour each week is changing lives, you are creating a story worthy of recognition and celebration!
I cannot imagine feeling so desperate for companionship that I would commit a crime, or being so busy that I can’t spare a few minutes to build a genuine friendship. Reading this left me thinking of just how important human connections are. Not only are they essential to individuals, they are a necessary element in achieving success in our communities.
How fortunate are we to be part of an amazing organization that truly understands the importance of relationships!? In recent months I have shared quotes of children stating that their mentor is their best friend. That is powerful. Equally important, but not typically recognized by the mentee, they not only have a friend, they are learning how to BE a friend! These valuable life skills are something our kids will carry with them for the rest of their lives, what a gift one hour a week is.
The Mentoring Network is approaching our 25th anniversary. Over the next several months we will be sharing updates, impacts, and celebrating the beautiful differences that all of you who support this program make. One of the many ways we want to celebrate is by growing the number of mentors we have. Let’s put a stop to individuals stating they are friendless! Who do you know that could be a friend to a child? Send them our way! Together we can and will continue to enrich the lives of children by teaching them how valuable genuine relationships are!
— Marci Silva Board Chair
The Mentoring Network Inc.
www.MentoringNetworkID.org
One hour, once a week, transforms lives
