Mentor Stories: David and Christian

Having an adult that a youth can look to for support and guidance is imperative to their success – especially so for youth in foster care. For National Mentoring Month, we have asked our mentors to share some of their thoughts and experiences serving as a mentor for a child in foster care.

January 11, 2018 – “Before meeting Christian for the first time, I was nervous. I wondered if he would find me boring or feel like the mentorship process was a waste of time. At the end our first meeting, I felt like he was not interested and that we did not make a connection. I was not expecting that when I arrived to meet him for our second visit a week later, he would be waiting at the window by the door. He opened the door before I could knock and gave me a hug and asked if we could go out for lunch. I lost track of how many times we have hung out since then.

Thinking of all that a child in foster care might want or need from a mentor, I missed some of the most simple things. I learned that showing up when you say you will show up is a really big deal. Listening to them is a big deal. Helping them learn better ways to do things is a big deal, especially when they know you care and aren’t just another person checking off another life skill on a list. Also, Ice cream cones. Ice cream cones are a really, really big deal. ”

-David F.

Just by showing a child you care, you can make a huge difference during this difficult time in their lives. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child. Join our village by becoming a mentor. For more information, please visit our Legacy Mentor Program page or contact Mentor Program Manager, Camber Page