KELLY

During this time while leading another camp I met Kelly – a shy and reserved 12 year old. She was failing school.

One day, her guidance counselor had called me-she had helped Kelly go to camp and had seen the impact it had on her. She asked about finding a mentor for Kelly. With mom being gone she was struggling in the home and her academics.

So, I sent her the name of a few people…but no one was responding.

I couldn’t just stand by and let a youth fall through the cracks. So, I began mentoring her.

I soon learned she just needed an outlet – someone to help guide her in school, in life, in teen years…etc. With someone to listen and, from time to time, give advice, she enrolled in a college prep program and graduated high school with an AA already in college.

I taught her how to drive – she reminded me how scary teenagers are behind the wheel (just kidding!).

I helped navigate doctors appointments, school functions, homework, college, her first car, and, in the midst of all the mundane, there were a whole lot of good talks about life. 

Today she is turning 25 and getting her masters in Psychology — the first in her family to go to college …. because someone noticed , someone saw her. I got to be a part of that.