Victoria Juarez. Courtesy photo.
Take a moment to think about someone who has made a positive difference in your life. Who inspired you to do your best and dream big?
For so many of us, having someone who supported our aspirations, gave guidance, and made us realize our value, just by sharing their time, had a profound effect. That is the power of mentors.
In honor of National Mentoring Month in January, we celebrate the positive impact that mentors have on the lives of young people. Quality mentoring relationships are a critical asset for youth, providing them with support, new possibilities and perspectives.
Research shows that mentors can have a life-changing impact on young people both personally and academically. A report by MENTOR, the National Mentoring Partnership, found that young people at-risk of not graduating high school who had mentors were 55% more likely to enroll in college than those who did not. And they were 130% more likely to hold leadership positions.
At Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, we know mentors play a valuable role in the lives of young people. Our mentors build lasting, trusting relationships and create safe spaces for girls to take risks and push themselves. Girls Inc. mentors are there to support girls every day and every step of the way, helping to provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to counter stereotypes and obstacles and achieve their goals.
Effective mentors are the cornerstone of our approach to serving the whole girl with experiences that enable her to discover her own strengths and thrive.
Girls Inc. member Tahis A., a junior at Carpinteria High School, refers to Girls Inc. as her “second home” and credits her mentor relationship with Teen Director Ericka Loza-Lopez for boosting her self-confidence, teaching her to be responsible and dependable, and making an overall positive impact on her life:
“My mentor, Ericka Loza-Lopez, taught me how to be respectful and a hard worker. She taught me to accept help from others. She’s a perfect example of someone who is considerate to others and she encouraged me to have manners. She would request simple courtesies such as: please, excuse me, and thank you. Before I met Ericka, I was not concerned for others’ well-being or feelings. Now I treat others with courtesy, because I know it improves my personality and reflects the type of person I am. These small lessons will follow me into the future as a working professional.
Ericka also introduced me to local authors and artists who taught us about their jobs and what paths they took to get where they are. This exposed me to the art of writing and influenced my interest in school.
She showed me the difference between right and wrong and I learned the power of my words. The relationship I have with Ericka pushes me to improve myself. She showed me how to be confident in my own body and to have high self-esteem. When I was called out for looking of Asian descent instead of Mexican, she told me there is nothing wrong with being called a different race because everyone is beautiful. She taught me there is more than just looks. Now I focus on being confident in my appearance and personality. Ericka is the definition of strong, smart, and bold, a perfect representation of what Girls Inc. stands for, and I aspire to be compassionate like her.” -Tahis A.
Successful mentoring relationships, like the one between Ericka and Tahis, require a commitment of time, care and concern, and a willingness to help someone learn and grow. Girls Inc. mentors are trained to develop a trusting and fostering mentoring relationship, expose and enlighten girls to new experiences and perspectives, provide valuable resources and opportunities, and impart Girls Inc. values and principles to the girls they serve.
Throughout the Girls Inc. network, we are grateful for the support and participation of thousands of adult volunteers who believe in the inherent value of each girl and who are optimistic about their futures.
Mentoring connects young people to personal growth and development, as well as social and economic opportunity. Yet, one in three young people will grow up without a mentor. These youth will miss out on the support, encouragement, and positive experiences stemming from having a caring adult in their lives.
As we celebrate National Mentoring Month, consider how your mentors made an impact in your life – and consider the difference you can make in the life of a young person.
— Victoria Juarez is the executive director of Girls Inc. of Carpinteria.