Nicolle: Group Mentor
Nicolle joined the group mentoring program at the beginning of the school year in 2022. During the pandemic, she realized she missed volunteering. After a short Google search, she believed Friends for Youth was a good match and a great opportunity. Nicolle was nervous at first–she felt like a stranger to the kids and didn't know what to expect. But after just a few sessions, the kids warmed up and became more and more talkative and friendly. Nicolle really enjoys seeing them excited about the different projects and activities the mentors provide. She also likes listening to them and answering their questions.
How has being a mentor impacted your life?
“I feel like it gets me in touch with my inner child and helps me see that life doesn't have to always be adults. I like interacting on the kids’ level and not having to be an authoritative figure.”
Why do you think mentoring is so important?
“I think that a lot of kids don't have the opportunity to have an adult who isn't an authority figure in their lives…to have a space where they aren’t judged or getting them in trouble…and to help them understand that adults don't always have to be scary.”
How is being a mentor different from what you expected?
“Sometimes you think that you are going to be talking seriously all the time, but a lot of the time it is just about having fun and letting them be kids, and providing that safe space.
“I feel very fortunate to have found Friends for Youth. I think it’s an amazing program for everyone involved and I look forward to continuing in the program and telling others about it.”