My Mentor
The day you walked into my house
I had a great feeling that my life
Would stop falling apart.
I could not wait
For our Friendship to start.
The memories began to roll
And soon our hard shells began to
Break away.
We were not afraid to speak our minds
Or tell what was in our hearts.
My mentor, my friend.
The one I confide in.
She'll help me if I'm in a jam
And need a helping hand.
She's the award of the year
The prize, the one of Gold.
The priceless gift of Friendship
That she gives.
My mentor has changed my life.
From now until 4ever.
My mentor is my 4ever friend.
And 4ever has no END.
by Karla Sagastume
a Junior Friend
Friends for Youth serves boys and girls throughout the San Francisco Peninsula. Our youth participants are referred by teachers, probation officers, and other youth professionals. Each youth ("Junior Friend") is matched with a trained, screened volunteer mentor ("Senior Friend") who commits to serving as a positive role model for his or her mentee. Friendships meet for three hours a week for at least one year, using this time to build their relationship and establish trust. Their time together might be spent going to a movie, visiting the Senior Friend's place of work, making dinner, or attending a Friends for Youth group activity. Friends for Youth staff provides ongoing guidance, resources, trainings, and group activities to support the developing relationships between the mentors and youth.
