By pairing adults in the community with local youth who are facing challenges and need extra support, our mentoring programs are proven to help youth gain relationship and interpersonal skills, more confidence, improved attitudes about substance use, and hope for the future. Just one example of the incredible power of mentoring can be seen in Matt and PJ, a mentor/mentee partnership at Partners.
Matt and PJ have been matched since August 2023. Just like every partnership at Partners, they were matched based on common interests and personality traits. It was clear from the beginning that they would get along wonderfully.
“The first time I met him, he started making fun of me and talking about how short I was, and I was like, ‘This is gonna work out great,’” Matt said with a chuckle, as PJ cracked a smile.
Both being fun-loving jokesters, the humor that emerged between them during their early interactions made it clear just how quickly these two would form a powerful bond.
“I kinda already started picking on him at the beginning ‘cause he kinda felt like a big brother, and that’s what you’re supposed to do as a younger brother,” PJ replied.
Upon being paired, Matt and PJ began meeting regularly and doing activities together that they both enjoyed, including jiu-jitsu. For both Matt and PJ, this partnership has provided the opportunity for them to carve out time to have fun and make memories.
“I look forward to hanging out with PJ every week,” Matt said. “No matter what else is going on in your life, when you hang out with somebody like that, you kinda put that behind you. You’re almost like a kid again. I think it’s a great program for mentees and for mentors as well.”
For PJ, this partnership has also helped him improve his confidence.
“I just like hanging out with him,” PJ said. “I’m not really good with talking to people, but he’s somebody I can talk to and not be nervous.”
Not only are mentee/mentor partnerships fun, but they can also help the mentor and the mentee uncover the best versions of themselves.
“PJ was, at the time, not very sociable, in the sense of having a lot of friends,” PJ’s mother, Kristen, said. “Julie, who’s our Partners coordinator, she’s the one who found Matt for us. She waited for that specific mentor. She knew what PJ wanted and what PJ needed.”
At Partners, we conduct annual evaluations to ensure our programs are making a difference—and they are! Our evidence-based mentoring programs are proven to have a real, positive impact on the lives of local youth.
“These mentors are meeting with these kids very consistently, so they get to see the growth in these kids and the challenges and the ways that they’re overcoming that, so they have the chance to really speak into that kid’s life,” said Julie, a Community-Based Program Coordinator at Partners.
We provide training to mentors and ongoing support to ensure that partnerships are successful. Not only are our mentoring programs designed and proven to uplift local youth, but they also provide an enriching and rewarding experience for our volunteer mentors.
“Something I admire about PJ [is how he] always has a good attitude. Every time we’re hanging out, he’s always in a good mood,” Matt said. “It inspires me ‘cause sometimes I’m in a bad mood, and I see him, and I’m like, ‘Oh, I gotta turn things around.’”
Mentoring has the power to teach youth life skills, help them socially, and support them through life challenges. By simply being a positive adult presence in the life of a local youth, a mentor can change the youth’s life for the better.
“With Partners, [PJ is] able to see what having fun, but also being responsible [is like],” Kristen said. “100%, Matt changed my son. He has learned to be mature. He has learned to self-regulate. He’s not afraid anymore. Without Partners, without Matt, without Julie, my son, I don’t believe, would be who he is today.”
For as little as three hours a month, adults 18 years and older can sign up to be mentors and enjoy fun Partners-hosted activities, make memories with their mentee, and enjoy knowing that they’re making a difference.
“If there’s someone that is considering becoming a mentor, I would say, ‘Do it.’ It’s a lot of fun. It’s a chance to be a kid again and just do fun things that maybe you haven’t done in years and get to see the world…through the eyes of these youth,” Julie said.
All youth deserve to have support systems that empower them to reach their full potential. Plenty of local kids, however, do not have many, or any, trusted adults outside of their immediate family who they feel comfortable turning to. Our youth mentoring programs at Partners are designed to help fill this gap.
We serve diverse youth with a variety of personalities, needs, and interests. There could be a youth waiting for a mentor just like you. Visit www.poweredbypartners.org/mentoring/ to learn more about our mentoring programs and how to get involved!