Reaching A Child’s Heart
How Mentorship Programs Create Lasting Change
I first heard about Faithful Friends at church. I watched as many of our fellow parishioners developed enriching relationships with at-risk youth through the ministry. My brother and sister-in-law became mentors and we spent Thanksgiving with their mentee and her family. It was neat to see a mentorship relationship blossom into a wider family connection. After witnessing the fruit of that relationship, we decided we wanted to sign up too.
My husband and I have always had a big heart for kids. At one point we even considered becoming foster parents, but over the years life got very busy. Our family grew, and we didn’t feel that we could take on that large of a commitment anymore. The desire to have a long-term impact and relationship with a child who might need us still tugged at our hearts though. Becoming a mentor to an at-risk child felt like an approachable way to make a difference and to live out a desire to show God’s love in a tangible way. When we first joined the Faithful Friends program, we were uncertain about what to expect or how we could truly impact a young person's life.
Our program advisor, Cia, helped us through the training process and put us at ease. All we needed to do, she assured us, was consistently show up for our mentee. Cia carefully listened to our family’s needs (we have 3 young children) and she made sure that our pairing would work for our kids too. Ultimately, our family was matched with a wonderful nine-year-old girl who has faced more challenges in her young life than most adults I know.
Our mentoring journey began tentatively. Our mentee is shy and I was also a little nervous and wanted to make her feel at ease. We arranged to pick her up from school once a week and spend the evening with her. We go on outings to the park or out to dinner. Sometimes we play board games or we go bowling and get ice-cream sundaes. These activities give us a chance to connect on a personal level, sharing stories and gradually building trust. Over time, our conversations have deepened, and I notice that our mentee feels comfortable. Our goal as mentors has been simple. We want to be safe and reliable people in her life.
She’s an awesome kid. She loves to sing and she loves animals. She has a gentle spirit and a kind heart. She loves the Spiderman series and always climbs on the play structures at the park pretending to be Spider Girl. It’s been really neat to see her develop a great relationship with our kids too. It is during small, seemingly uneventful moments, that I realized the true power of mentorship – not in offering advice, but in actively listening and being present for someone who needs support. A few weeks ago, she shared her favorite song with me. “I am a Lost Boy from Neverland” by Ruth B. As she sang along to the lyrics, I realized she was sharing more than just a song with me. She was sharing a little bit of how she felt in the world.
I hope our mentoring journey continues for many years. I hope that my family can be an encouragement to our mentee and to her family. Being a mentor has taught me that one of the most important gifts we can give someone is belief in their potential and just being present for their journey. I can’t fix all the tragic things that have happened in my mentee’s life and I can’t fix the challenges she faces now, but I can be a witness to her journey. I can be a support when she needs it and an encouragement along the way. This experience has re-affirmed my belief in the power of human connection and the profound difference we can make in each other’s lives.
The world today can be lonely. Our culture is fast-paced, and dominated by electronics. A lot of people are struggling to make it. So many people are longing for authentic connection. At-risk kids are especially vulnerable to feeling lost and the importance of in-person adult/child mentorship programs cannot be overstated.
These programs play a crucial role in shaping the future of young individuals by providing them with guidance, support, and valuable life skills that are often not fully developed within traditional educational settings. Here’s why mentorship programs are essential and how they contribute to the holistic development of children.
First, mentorship programs offer children a unique opportunity to feel special and to interact with adults who can serve as positive role models. Many children may lack such role models, whether due to family dynamics, socio-economic factors, or other circumstances. A mentor provides a stable and supportive relationship outside the family unit, offering encouragement, advice, and perspective that can help broaden a child's worldview and aspirations.
Moreover, these programs foster personal development by focusing on individual strengths and interests. Unlike classroom settings that often emphasize academic performance, mentorship programs allow for personalized attention tailored to each child's needs. Whether it's exploring creative interests, developing skills, or navigating personal challenges, mentors can provide guidance that is specifically aligned with the child's personality and ambitions.
Mentorship programs also contribute to emotional and social growth. They create a safe space for children to express themselves, build self-confidence, and learn effective communication skills.
In addition to personal development, mentorship programs have long-term benefits for society as a whole. By investing in the younger generation through mentorship, we cultivate future leaders who are more likely to contribute positively to their communities. These programs also benefit the adults who choose to be mentors. It is fulfilling to invest in a child's life and it brings joy to share knowledge and experiences. The reciprocal relationship of mentorship often leads to personal growth for both the mentor and the mentee, fostering a sense of community and interconnectedness.
In the Portland, Oregon area there are several mentoring programs specifically designed to support at-risk youth. Here are some notable programs:
Faithful Friends - a Christian based program. The organization partners with local churches to match at-risk youth with mentors. Mentors make a yearly commitment to spend time with their mentee every week. These relationships often renew over many years to create a deep and meaningful connection. www.faithfulfriendspdx.org
Friends of the Children - pairs at-risk youth with professional mentors, known as "Friends," who commit to mentoring children from kindergarten through high school graduation. The program focuses on long-term relationships. www.friendspdx.org
Holla Mentors - HOLLA describes itself as “a mentorship movement that connects with families, administrators, teachers, and nonprofits to recognize the power and potential of Black and Brown youth.” Mentors walk with mentees and volunteer committing to spend 1 hour a week with their mentor. The program also offers opportunities to volunteer at the Holla headquarters. www.hollamentors.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest - This organization matches at-risk youth with adult mentors who provide support, guidance, and friendship. Mentors engage in one-on-one activities with their mentees to promote personal growth, academic success, and social skills development. www.itsbigtime.org
Morrison Child and Family Services - Morrison offers a variety of mentoring programs that support youth facing behavioral health challenges, trauma, and other risk factors. Mentors work with youth to build confidence, develop life skills, and achieve personal goals. www.morrisonkids.org
Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area - Boys & Girls Clubs offer mentoring programs that support youth through after-school activities, academic support, and positive adult role modeling. Mentors help youth build character, develop leadership skills, and explore career pathways. www.bgcportland.org
Forge Youth Mentoring - Southwest Washington program focused on adult child mentoring focused on building confidence and resilience. www.bgcportland.org
WeBelongPDX - group mentoring on-site to children affected by poverty and mental health challenges. www.webelongpdx.org
Refugee Care Collective - The program offers both family and youth mentorship opportunities. The program focuses on community building and long-term relationships with refugee youth. www.refugeecarecollective.org
Granite Bridges - mentoring program for adolescents experiencing mental health symptoms. Care is focused on building skills to face the challenges of mental health. www.granitebridges.com
Adorned in Grace Design Studio - an after school outreach to teenage girls in foster care. Participants learn sewing skills. www.compassionconnect.com/adorned-in-grace/
Hands on Greater Portland - The Washington County Juvenile Department Mentoring Program supports the success of at-risk youth by providing them with positive one on one relationships with a caring adult. www.handsonportland.org
Sage - A program focused on the academic mentoring of students at Parkrose middle schoolin in Portland. www.wearesage.org
IRCO Asian Family mentoring - Youth mentoring that offers language and translation services to ensure that mentees can speak with someone in their first language. www.irco.org
Urban Nature Partners PDX - a program focused on students in the East Portland area matching caring adults with students 4th grade and above who want to spend time doing outdoor adventures. www.urban-nature-partners.org
Whatever mentoring journey you find yourself on I hope that your experience results in a new friendship and opportunities for shared growth and community. My family’s match with our mentee through Faithful Friends, (a church partnership organization) has been wonderful and I would highly recommend the organization! But I know that they desire to help caring adults find an organizational match for mentoring even if it’s not through them. Investing in the next generation by spending time with at-risk kids is a mutually enriching way to invest your energy and it will leave a lasting impact in a child’s life.
