Why I Donate: Mentor Amaal
I was first matched with Oliver in 2018. When we first met, he was really quiet, but throughout our time together, he gradually opened up. I watched him become more vocal and participatory and got to see his personality come through as our friendship grew.
Our time together was filled with both everyday moments and special experiences. We watched movies, got pizza, kicked a soccer ball around, and even went to a baseball game. Friends for Youth actually gifted us the tickets, and they were the closest seats we had ever had at a baseball game. Along the way, I also got to know Oliver’s mom and some of his siblings and became a familiar part of their lives.
Oliver was referred to Friends for Youth because they wanted him to focus more on school and have more opportunities to be social. I helped him with math, worked through assignments with him, and helped him figure out time management and study strategies. I also wanted to make sure we had time to simply have fun and spend time together.
One of the most rewarding parts of being a mentor was seeing him make progress. I saw him improve in school and make more of an effort, and being able to help him get there was really meaningful to me.
I think mentoring is important because every young person can benefit from having a trusted adult outside of their immediate family who they can talk to, learn from, and relate to. For youth who may be experiencing difficulties at home or don’t have the strongest relationships with their parents, having that additional support can be even more meaningful. It gives them someone they can look to as a positive role model and someone who can help them navigate day-to-day life.
After my mentorship with Oliver, I knew I still wanted to be part of the work Friends for Youth is doing. So, I became a recurring donor. It’s an easy way for me to continue supporting young people and help create the kind of mentorship I experienced for someone else.
If you’re considering becoming a recurring donor, this is what your support makes possible: giving young people the opportunity to have someone in their corner, to build a relationship with a trusted adult, and to experience the kind of encouragement and connection that can help them grow.
