Juan and Mateo
“The program is more fun than I expected. We get to do cool things. I hope to be a mentor someday.”
Mateo was referred to Friends for Youth because he lives with a single father and could use additional support and resources. He also struggled in school and experienced bullying. Juan, a former Friends for Youth mentee, reconnected with us wanting to give back and become a mentor. Juan and Mateo were matched in January of 2016. Their favorite activities have been watching Star Wars and superhero movies, hiking, ice skating for the first time at our Holiday Party, and catching up over boba tea. Both Juan and Mateo noticed that Mateo became more confident, active, open to trying new things, and talkative over their time together.
In 1998, 13-year-old Juan found out about Friends for Youth from his friend who was in the program. He was excited to get involved and went to a school counselor at Kennedy Middle School to learn more. Juan had limited resources at home and was struggling to make friends, pass his classes, and improve his English. “I felt like I was missing out on a lot and there was so much to do and see.”
Soon Juan met his mentor Trish. “She took me places that I had never been before. We went to Six Flags, we went kayaking, went horseback riding, I visited her at her job, which I thought was cool. She was a DEA Agent at San Francisco Airport, and we watched [her husband’s bike] race.” Juan attributes his motivation to be healthy, improved social skills, and increased confidence to the experience. He also said Trish helped him with homework and staff connected him to tutoring. Juan became the first in his family to go to college and graduated with a degree in Child Development. Juan did a school presentation on Friends for Youth and felt compelled to become a mentor. “I remember Trish talking about her job and she was married. If she made time for me, then I can make time for someone else.”
Juan continues to mentor Mateo. “I see how grateful he is and that makes me feel good.” Juan is glad to be the positive role model who can make a difference in another at-risk youth’s life and provide essential one on one support. Juan recently found Trish on Facebook and exchanged thanks and memories. “I posted a picture of Mateo and myself at the Giants game. And she replied that I had made her morning because I was now volunteering and mentoring as well.”
Juan became a Board Member at Friends for Youth!
Mateo’s sister Alisa and Gia also became mentees with Friends for Youth and got mentors in 2016.
“I love Friends for Youth and what it stands for. It makes me feel good when I expose him to something new… His dad approached me and said I just want to thank you for what you’re doing for [us].”