Written by: Ellen D.
I have been mentoring for two years, and it has changed my life! There are so many children in North Texas facing challenges, and the impact of mentoring on a child’s future is profound. According to mentoring.org, at-risk individuals with mentors are 55% more likely to enroll in college, 78% more likely to volunteer regularly, and 130% more likely to hold leadership positions than their unmentored peers. These kids need extra support. They need to feel seen- that’s where you come in.
One of my most cherished mentoring stories was with one of my Second Grade mentees, Mason*. One day, I noticed his shoes were untied and asked if he needed to stop and tie them. He replied, “No, I like them like this.” I didn’t press the issue, and we went to our classroom to play board games and talk about the week’s topic: empathy. When it was time to leave, I asked him again if he needed to tie his shoes before we walked back down the hallway. That’s when he told me, “I don’t know how to tie my shoes.” I reassured him it wasn’t a problem and took the opportunity to teach him how to tie them. As I was finishing the last loop, he looked down at me and said, “I am so thankful for you.” The joy of making a difference in a child’s life is truly fulfilling.
These children don’t need mentoring because they may be class disruptors or receive bad grades. They need mentoring to help them feel seen, heard, and cared for. Maybe they are from a single-parent home with two other kids, two jobs, and, unfortunately, no time to give undivided attention. Maybe their teacher can’t provide undivided attention because they have 20 other students to care for. All it takes is 45 minutes a week! This short weekly session over several weeks is enough to change the trajectory of their lives. Being a mentor is being a friend!
If you are in North Texas and would like to learn more about mentoring with SOS International, please visit the link below!
*Name changed to protect minor
