Paulette and Eunice

Enice & Paulette in 2019

Meet Eunice and Paulette. This year they celebrate 11 years of friendship, having been matched when Eunice was just 10 years old.

When Eunice and Paulette met in 2009, Eunice was struggling with her parents’ recent separation, her father’s substance abuse, and being bullied at school.  As a result, she was depressed and not doing well in school.

Paulette became a loving friend and advocate for Eunice.  A former teacher, Paulette took an active role in helping Eunice get support for her learning difficulties, and when Eunice’s bullying worsened, Paulette convinced Eunice’s school to adopt an anti-bullying curriculum.   Paulette took Eunice on outings while her single mom worked long hours, also checking in on her mom and providing her advice.  Eunice’s mom says of Paulette, “I feel like I’m not alone.  I have somebody, a big support.  We say she is part of our family because we feel like that.”

Eunice now feels better, graduated from high school, and is attending Foothill College.  She plans to continue studying and become an art therapist.  Eunice says, “I’ve had tutors and therapists, but I truly think Paulette has made the greatest impact on me and been the biggest help.  She’s been a great part of my whole life.  No matter if it was education, mental health, or physical health, Paulette’s been there.”  

Paulette says, “I feel like Eunice is another granddaughter of mine.  I think this is a lifelong friendship.”