See you later Faithful Friends
Today is the day I officially step down from my role as Program Coordinator with Faithful Friends. I have been on staff with Faithful Friends for just one month shy of five years.
This position has been a blessing in my life. The culture that Faithful Friends has built over time is one where you look forward to going to work. My colleagues are my dear friends and people I share life with. The mentors and families I have worked with have shaped my worldview and truly changed my life. Not enough can be said about the impact of walking alongside people through different seasons of life. I have laughed, cried, and prayed with coworkers, mentors, and families alike. I have had some of the deepest, most meaningful conversations with the parents in our program. I am continually inspired by those who trust us enough to be vulnerable and allow us to find a mentor for their child. The mentors and families in this program are some of the most inspiring and resilient people you will ever meet.
This job has been so much more than just a job for me. It has been a calling and a deep passion in my life. The mentoring model created by our founder, Duncan Campbell, is something I will forever believe in and hold dear.
Child mentorship is a beautiful thing on so many levels, for so many reasons. At Faithful Friends, we match children between the ages of 6 and 9 with mentors because these are the most formative years of a child's life. This is when a child starts looking for role models and begins asking big questions, like "Who am I in this world?" and "What makes me valuable?" These are monumental questions that we cannot leave solely for society to answer.
At Faithful Friends, we have often wrestled with the term "at-risk youth." This is because when people hear the term, they tend to think of a very specific kind of child in very specific situations. Our mentors volunteer their time because many of them recognize that they, too, needed a mentor during their formative years. They feel compelled to step in and be that person for someone else. The truth is that every child today should be considered "at-risk." Every child can benefit immensely from the encouragement and presence of a caring, supportive adult outside of their immediate family.
People often assume that if a child has loving parents at home, then they are probably just fine. That is not true. Kids today face far more challenges than previous generations ever did. The rising rates of youth suicide and widespread feelings of hopelessness are well-known issues. No child should go without a mentor in today's society.
In our training, we tell mentors that stepping into this ministry is an opportunity to gain new tools for understanding and relating to others. This simple concept holds profound meaning. If there is one thing I have learned during my time at Faithful Friends, it is that we are not as different as we might believe. We all strive to be seen, heard, and understood. We all desire a sense of belonging and purpose for our lives.
I will be stepping away as an employee of Faithful Friends but will continue my involvement as a mentor and forever advocate. This is not a goodbye but an "I'll see you later!" Thank you Faithful Friends staff and community for being a blessing in my life these last five years.
Cia with Faithful Friends colleagues on Jan 24, 2025 at Braking Cycles
