Ka’marry & Barbie
The Mentor Connector
Mentoring Stories
Ka’marry & Barbie
The Mentor Connector
Name of Mentee: Ka’marrey
Name of Mentor: Barbie
Mentoring Program: The Mentor Connector
Matched: 2015
Barbie and Ka’marrey are Vermont Mentoring Ambassadors, meaning they are a mentoring pair that is passionate about the impact of mentoring and work with MENTOR Vermont staff and Vermont Mentoring Programs throughout the state to engage different audiences and spread awareness about the mentoring movement. Ka’marrey comments on the mentoring relationship she and Barbie have developed for the past 7 years, “At the beginning, I was a little shy. We’ve built a really good connection. There’s a lot of trust. There’s a lot of respect. There are a lot of memories that show we have a really good bond. We just get each other on a level that we can’t really explain to other people.” For Barbie, her life is “bigger” thanks to mentoring. In her words, “Now, I have this amazing organization that supports me in my mentoring, this amazing young lady, and her entire family whom I adore. Mentoring has taught me that it doesn’t matter how old you get because you still have something to give.” This match has grown from, learned from, and leaned on each other–all while helping raise awareness about the positive impact of mentoring (for mentors and youth alike) to close the mentoring gap. Ka’marrey shares, “When I was younger, I didn’t really realize how many people there are who don’t have the same opportunities as other people. When we became ambassadors, I saw a paper that showed how many people don’t have mentors. It made me feel very grateful.
Ka’merry & Barbie were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2024 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Gracie & Maribeth
Youth First Mentoring
Name of Mentee: Gracie
Name of Mentor: Maribeth
Mentoring Program: Youth First Mentoring
Matched: 2015
Returning Ambassadors Gracie and Maribeth have been matched since 2015 with Youth First Mentoring (previously Girls/Boyz First). Gracie and Maribeth believe every young person should have access to the support a mentor can provide. It’s a win-win situation for both the adult and the young person, because they share enriching experiences with each other. In 2023, Gracie and Maribeth attended many events to raise awareness for mentoring and their program, recruiting several new mentors.
Gracie & Maribeth were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2024 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Passy & Linday
USCRI Crossroads Mentoring
Name of Mentee: Passy
Name of Mentor: Lindsay
Mentoring Program: USCRI Crossroads Mentoring
Matched: 2021
Passy and Lindsay have been matched since 2021 in the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants Crossroads mentoring program. They decided to be Ambassadors of Mentoring because they believe their experience together is a snapshot of a successful, healthy mentoring pair that sets a good example for other potential pairs. They have had so much fun and are now navigating transition as Passy prepares to go to college in the fall!
Passy & Lindsay were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2024 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Muktar & Corey
King Street Center
Name of Mentee: Muktar
Name of Mentor: Corey
Mentoring Program: King Street Center
Matched: 2022
Corey and Muktar have been matched since 2022 with King Street Center. Corey and Muktar were Ambassadors in 2023 and return for their second year. They are interested in awareness events, photo shoots, and storytelling. Muktar had a lot of fun last year and is excited to be a face of mentoring and meet new people.
Muktar & Corey were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2024 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Uson & Alex
King Street Center
Name of Mentee: Uson
Name of Mentor: Alex
Mentoring Program: King Street Center
Matched: 2023
Uson and Alex are a new mentoring pair in the King Street Center program. They wanted to become Ambassadors of Mentoring to meet new people, socialize, and be a bigger part of the Vermont Mentoring Field. We’re so excited for you to be a part of this program!
Uson & Alex were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2024 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Lincoln & Kathy
MAUSD Mentoring
Name of Mentee: Lincoln
Name of Mentor: Kathy
Mentoring Program: MAUSD Mentoring
Matched: 2022
Lincoln and Kathy have been matched since 2022 in the MAUSD program. Over the course of their mentoring match, they have developed a strong bond and trust through their program and the activities they do together. They became Ambassador’s because they want to make a difference in whatever way they can, and amplify the impact of mentoring in their community.
Lincoln & Kathy were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2024 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Cayleigh & Megan
The Mentor Connector
Name of Mentee: Cayleigh
Name of Mentor: Megan
Mentoring Program: The Mentor Connector
Matched: 2022
Cayleigh and Megan have been matched since 2022 in the Mentor Connector in Rutland. They want to share with people how much fun they have to encourage others to become mentors. Cayleigh wants to be a mentor when she gets older! They both have learned so much from each other. We’re so proud they have become Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Cayleigh & Megan were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2024 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Cameron & Paul
Windsor County Mentors
Name of Mentee: Cameron
Name of Mentor: Paul
Mentoring Program: Windsor Couny Mentors
Matched: 2023
Cameron and Paul have been matched since 2023 with Windsor County Mentors. They decided to become Ambassadors of Mentoring because it sounds like fun helping other kids understand the benefits of a mentor/mentee relationship. Over the past year, Cameron and Paul have learned a lot about each other through a lot of different activities. Their hope is to generate excitement and interest in students and adults to develop mentoring relationships.
Cameron & Paul were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2024 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Jack & Eve
Shelburne Community School’s Connecting Youth Mentoring Program
Although Jack and Eve were only able to meet a couple of times before shifting to virtual meet-ups due to the pandemic, they found creative ways to connect and build a friendship over the past two years. A few favorite highlights have been online Jeopardy-style trivia, walks to the local store for sweet treats, and outdoor games of basketball, tennis, and football.
Name of Mentee: Jack
Name of Mentor: Eve Norris
Mentoring Program: Shelburne Community School’s Connecting Youth Mentoring Program
Program Type: School-Based
Matched: 2019
About This Match:
The Mentee
Jack first learned about Connecting Youth through a friend who was participating, and he thought it sounded so cool that he asked to join, too. He’s proven to Eve just how smart a 5th (now 6th!) grader can be through their many games of virtual trivia. Jack is a great example of the mentor relationship going both ways, as he has been teaching Eve how to play chess. “He has been really patient with me,” says Eve. Jack shared that his favorite part of spending time with Eve has been playing games and having fun.
The Mentor
Eve was inspired to get involved as a mentor after having her own children grow up through the Shelburne Community School system. Eve shared that one of her favorite parts of spending time with Jack is that there is never any pressure—so many areas of life demand things from all of us, but when Jack and Eve get together they just like to have fun and enjoy themselves. When asked to share how mentoring Jack has impacted her life, Eve shared “Jack makes me feel really good. I come away from here every week with a heart full. It’s fun and it puts me in a good place.”
Karson & Ellen
Grand Isle County Mentoring
This pair looks forward to their zoom time each week, where they play games, talk, do puzzles, or Karson picks up his computer and brings virtual Ellen to meet the new ducks outside! They truly are a model of how to create a valuable friendship during a pandemic.
Name of Mentee: Karson
Name of Mentor: Ellen Dorsch
Mentoring Program: Grand Isle County Mentoring
Program Type: School-Based
Matched: 2019
About This Match:
The Mentee
Karson has a lot of energy and loves to be silly. He has a busy household at home and really looks forward to the 1:1 time he has with Ellen. His mother Jessica shared, “Ellen is one of his favorite people in the world. He just adores her. He loves that he has someone outside the home to open up to and be himself.”
The Mentor
When asked to share how mentoring Karson has impacted her life, Ellen wrote, “My mentor and I Zoomed every other week during the “lock down” of the pandemic. When we started this routine, I wondered what we would do for an hour on Zoom. We played some games, did puzzles over Zoom, talked, his little sister and mother sometimes joined us. We both wanted something to look forward to, something different then our routine at home. After a few sessions, I realized that I was looking forward to our next meet up. How nice to see young people, rather than the two retirees in our house. How nice to laugh at silly things … following him, and his computer, around his house to see the new chickens, ducks and Steak, the cow, outside. Perhaps he added more joy and levity to my life than I did to his; who knows.”
Karson and Ellen were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2022 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Isaac & Pat
Spectrum Youth & Family Services Mentoring Program
Pat has helped Isaac with football and basketball, and attends almost every game Isaac has! Pat wants to help Isaac succeed in all his endeavors, and enjoys spending time with him. Their connection is so special, they say its fate!
Name of Mentee: Isaac
Name of Mentor: Pat Fleming
Mentoring Program: Spectrum
Program Type: Community-Based
Matched: 2018
About This Match:
The Mentee
Pat has been one of Isaac’s biggest supporters. He helped Isaac get the equipment he needed for football and basketball, helped him figure out transportation to get to and from practices, and Pat attends close to every single one of his games! Pat also helps keep in touch with his school guidance counselors, teachers, and coaches to make sure he’s succeeding.
The Mentor
“I think Isaac and I sort of fill in the holes in each other’s lives. Being retired with both of my girls grown and settled has afforded me the time to be able to do more. I really believe that part of our purpose on earth is to make life a little less difficult for others, and that has always been important to me and something that I will continue to do in my later years. Each game that I attend I am always struck by the fact that I have never once seen his mom or dad at a game and then realize that I have become part of Isaac’s family. I often tell Isaac that I don’t know how or why fate brought us together, but I’m sure glad that it did. He doesn’t disagree!” – Pat
Assia & Alice
USCRI Vermont’s Crossroads Mentoring Program
Assia and Alice have developed such a special connection, that even their families are now friends with each other. They both work to be active together in their community, and while Assia is now in college, she still considers Alice to be an important and crucial person in her life.
Name of Mentee: Assia
Name of Mentor: Alice Urban
Mentoring Program: U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) Vermont: Crossroads Mentoring Program
Program Type: Community-Based
Matched: 2016
About This Match:
The Mentee
“Alice has become a member of my family, and I believe the successful mentoring relationship was the friendship that grew between our families. I got to meet her family, and she got to meet mine, which has strengthened our bond. Alice became a very significant part of my life; she was there when I graduated from high school, and she helped me adjust to the education system in the U.S. She was there at one of the most difficult times of my life when I was applying to colleges and she is still there for me now in college, which I appreciate. What I’m trying to say is that Alice is always there for me; she is not just my mentor, but also a family member, and I am eternally thankful. Alice and I share a bond that extends beyond the mentoring program itself. Through my involvement with Crossroads and my connection to Alice, I have increased self-confidence, self-awareness, leadership skills, communication abilities, and have extended my personal network.” -Assia
The Mentor
“Assia and I both moved to Vermont in September 2016 and while our relocations to Chittenden County were under very different circumstances, that newness to the area gave us something in common when we were matched by USCRI. Our relationship has had a significant impact on me for several reasons; first, it’s been a way for Assia and me both to develop a sense of community. Our families have become friends, and we’ve been part of each other’s significant life events. Second, it’s allowed me to support Assia and her family as they transitioned to life in the U.S. Assia worked diligently through the demanding college application process, and it was my privilege to support her in her success. She is now a first-year student at Brandeis University, where she is majoring in international and global studies. Third, Assia’s resilience, enthusiasm, and drive to make the world a better place in her community and globally is inspiring. She has a bright future, and I am grateful to be a part of it.” – Alice
Lucca & Johanna
The Collaborative
Although they are a new match, Lucca and Johanna have developed a great bond. Through mentoring, Lucca has become very confident and is always willing to help their fellow students and teachers. Lucca and Johanna enjoy doing arts and crafts with each other, talk about shared interests, and enjoy spending time together!
Name of Mentee: Lucca
Name of Mentor: Johanna Davis
Mentoring Program: The Collaborative
Program Type: School-Based
Matched: 2021
About This Match:
The Mentee
Lucca is a new mentee to The Collaborative’s mentor program. Lucca expressed interest in the program early on in the school year. With the help of her mentor, Lucca has shown growth in the classroom and is always willing to help other students and adults. Lucca’s mentor has given her another positive role model in her life, which has improved her social, emotional, and life skills. She now can express her thoughts and opinions freely, which is wonderful!
The Mentor
Johanna is a returning mentor to our program! She is also a 3rd grade teacher Flood brook school, where The Collaborative is located. Johanna’s bond with Lucca has been able to withstand schedule changes and other issues related to the challenging times that we are in. Every time they meet, Lucca and Johanna are very enthusiastic to see each other. They love to do arts and crafts with each other! Joanna’s position at the school allows them to check in with each other throughout the week, which has strengthened their mentorship.
Lucca and Johanna were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2023 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Halima & Premila
King Street Center
Halima and Premila met when Halima was in elementary school. Now a junior in High School, the pair enjoy a variety of activities and learn from each other. They celebrate their anniversary every year with red velvet cake!
Name of Mentee: Halima
Name of Mentor: Premila Peters
Mentoring Program: King Street Center
Program Type: Community-Based
Matched: 2014
About This Match:
The Mentee
For Halima, having a mentor has meant having a constant, older friend to talk with, share life experiences, use as a sounding board, and someone to turn to when needed. Halima met Premila when she was in elementary school. She is now 17 and a junior in high school. Through the years they have cooked, baked, listened to music, shopped, enjoyed bird watching, watched movies, eaten international cuisines and giggled – a lot!
The Mentor
Premila describes not only the added sense of purpose to her life, but learning, “Modern music and dance moves, cool apps, and how new American families and youth navigate between two worlds and two cultures.” This match often finds themselves talking about family, friends, school, and various other interests. Premila has watched Halima navigate the complicated years of adolescence and has been there to help her manage life’s ups and downs, as well as discover interests, strengths, and passions. Premila describes the gift of mentoring, “Watching Halima grow into a young, beautiful, confident woman and helping, to whatever extent possible, to find her place in this world as an adult. My wish for Halima is that she channels her talents, intelligence and smarts towards something that fulfills her and provides her a rewarding life.”
Matched 8 years now, they celebrate their anniversary, as they do every year, with a red velvet cake.
Halima and Premila were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2022 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Alexis & Betsy
MAUSD Mentoring
Alexis and Betsy enjoy being creative, often crafting or working on projects together. They most recently worked on a scrapbook together, documenting their long time together as mentor and mentee.
Name of Mentee: Alexis
Name of Mentor: Betsy Dunham
Mentoring Program: MAUSD Mentoring
Program Type: Community/School-Based
Matched: 2016
About This Match:
The Mentee
Alexis describes her mentor Betsy as artistic, kind, caring, awesome, fun & full of ideas. All these words could also be used to describe this match. Betsy has introduced Alexis to new ideas and skills from baking to sewing to sugaring to crafting and her knowledge of horses. They discovered they both enjoyed sewing and after working together on a project of making a Halloween costume, Alexis initiated some sewing projects of her own, got herself set up to sew on her mother’s sewing machine at home & has continued doing sewing projects on her own. In September, they were reunited in person after many months of remote meetings during COVID. Recently they worked on a scrapbook, documenting the years they’ve spent together. Both Alexis and Betsy take on the responsibility of making sure that they get to see each other each week. When asked what she would like to thank her mentor for, Alexis responded, “for being there in the good & bad weather.”
The Mentor
For Betsy, Alexis is often on her mind. She finds herself thinking, “Alexis would like this!” when she comes across something interesting or unique and can’t wait to share it with her. Her match with Alexis gives her a sense of connection to young people today. Alexis has opened up Betsy’s world and allowed her to see the world through the eyes of a child. Just as Betsy shares her skills and knowledge with Alexis, Alexis teaches Betsy all the time. A recent tree craft made from newspaper was one of those teachable moments, all led by Alexis. Betsy is creative and full of ideas when it comes to crafts. It is impressive and exciting to now see Alexis doing her own research and coming up with her own very creative ideas for their future projects together. Betsy and Alexis complement each other with their creative abilities and ideas. Betsy has grown children and in her match with Alexis, she relishes her role as a non-judgmental, helpful & interested friend.
Navaeh & Amy
Windsor Central Empower UP! Mentoring Program
Nevaeh looks forward to spending time with Amy every week, where they work on math, reading, and introducing each other to new books, games, and crafts. They also love taking walks with Amy’s dogs to just connect and spend time with each other.
Name of Mentee: Nevaeh
Name of Mentor: Amy Daigle
Mentoring Program: Windsor Central Empower UP! Mentoring Program
Program Type: School-Based
Matched: 2019
About This Match:
The Mentee
Nevaeh’s grandmother says that, “It’s been a huge impact on Nevaeh. She looks forward to every Wednesday with Amy. Amy helps with her reading and math, which has improved. Nevaeh loves her one on one time with Amy. Amy is a wonderful mentor.” Amy has been a consistent, positive adult in Nevaeh’s life and is committed and caring as a mentor.
The Mentor
Amy says, “I knew I wanted to get involved in the community and make a difference. I knew I wanted the experience to be in the local elementary school and for that commitment to be meaningful. The older you get you to realize that the most important gift you can give to someone is “time”. So I wanted to give my time and have a relationship with a child who may need another adult in their life. Luckily, I was matched with Nevaeh – a 3rd grader at the time – in Killington Elementary School. We began meeting every week. At first, we were not sure what this was going to look like. But, we figured it out. We learned about each other – what we like, don’t like, and introduced each other to new books, games, animals, crafts, and frequent walks with my dogs. For a lot of our time together we just walk and talk. It’s our special time in the week to take a break from class and work and just connect.”
Nevaeh and Amy were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2022 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Bawmu & Patrick
Everybody Wins! Vermont
Bawmu and Patrick often are the life of the zoom party since mentoring has moved to online meetings. Their enthusiasm, positive comments, and excitement to read together contagious. With Patrick’s help, Bawmu’s confidence in reading out loud has increased; now he reads long chapter books out loud in their entirety!
Name of Mentee: Bawmu
Name of Mentor: Patrick DiMambro
Mentoring Program: Everybody Wins! Vermont
Program Type: School-Based
Matched: 2018
About This Match:
The Mentee
Bawmu is a New American of Burmese descent. He and Patrick have formed a deep, trusting bond. They’ve read and played literacy games together weekly since Bawmu was in second grade. Although the pandemic and our move to virtual Everybody Wins sessions has been challenging, Patrick and Bawmu have made it work! Through Patrick’s encouragement, Bawmu has taken on more and more responsibilities of reading aloud. It is with great pride that since October of this year, Bawmu has tackled reading aloud via our Zoom session the entire online book, Eyes of the Emperor by Graham Salisbury. This lengthy 250+ page chapter book has kept both Patrick and Bawmu captivated week after week, especially with Bawmu’s confident and very expressive reading aloud.
The Mentor
Patrick has worked hard to fulfill his goal for participation in our program. As a new college graduate and young professional, it was clear that Patrick understood the incredible impact mentoring can have on mentees. His stated goal was fairly simple: “Developing a relationship with one child over the course of a year or beyond.” Patrick has mentored three children at Edmunds Elementary School in the past 6 years. Bawmu and Patrick have been fortunate to develop their relationship based on kindness, humor, and friendship over the past three and a half years.
Bawmu and Patrick were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2022 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Mckenna & Deb
Twinfield Together Mentoring Program
Mckenna and Deb have maintained their match not just over 4 years, but through school-changes though. Mckenna enjoys trying new activities with Deb, and sharing her opinions through open and honest discussion. Through the program, they have become great friends.
Name of Mentee: Mckenna
Name of Mentor: Deb Barnwell
Mentoring Program: Twinfield Together Mentoring Program
Program Type: Community/School-Based
Matched: 2017
About This Match:
The Mentee
When asked about her mentor, Mckenna said, “My mentor Deb Barnwell has been my mentor since I was in 4th grade. When I heard she could still see me while transferring schools it made me really happy, and she was very flexible with the school change. She has helped me throughout the years with some important life skills while allowing me to explore new concepts and indulge in something I liked, which is art. She has also been someone who I can openly talk to about issues and give her honest opinion which builds on the idea I may have about that issue. She has allowed me to explore concepts and activities that I may have not been able to explore without her; some being baking, sewing, and certain types of art. I am grateful for everything she does and I am glad to have her as my mentor.”
The Mentor
About her relationship with Mckenna, Deb says, “My Mentee is a feisty, lively, quirky young lady that I am very glad to call my friend. When I first became a mentor Pam inquired what kind of kid I’d work best with. I requested the adjectives I just listed above and Pam delivered and we couldn’t be a better match! As my mentee has grown, from age 10 – now 14, our activities have evolved and keep getting better. It’s been fun to watch our projects move from making Slime to going for hot chocolate and antiquing. Someday I hope we’re still meeting up for coffee and catching up. She’s been a fun friend to get out and do things with.”
Mckenna and Deb were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2023 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Andrew & Moira
Windsor County Mentors
Andrew and Moira are the first cross-gender match made at Windsor County Mentors, and has been a huge success. Together, they enjoy being active – hiking, skating, and having a lot of fun.
Name of Mentee: Andrew
Name of Mentor: Moira Notargiacomo
Mentoring Program: Windsor County Mentors
Program Type: Community/School-Based
Matched: 2020
About This Match:
The Mentee
Andrew “loves having a mentor” and “looks forward to seeing her every week.” He particularly enjoys the scope of activities they do together, and has become interested in hiking and skating with his mentor. According to Andrew’s mother, he is more outgoing this year and is taking a more active role in school.
The Mentor
Mentoring Andrew has given Moira “a tremendous amount of joy” and she believes that she gets as much if not more out of the relationship as Andrew does. “Spending time with Andrew is so enjoyable” that it makes Moira “see things in new ways, through his eyes.”
Andrew and Moira were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2022 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Zachary & Mark
Youth First Mentoring
Zachary and Mark love spending time outdoors – interviewing local game wardens, exploring architecture and design, and even Tae Kwon Do! Mark loves to spend time with Zachary; he listens, helps him work through any issues he may be dealing with, and enjoys being Zachary’s friend.
Name of Mentee: Zachary
Name of Mentor: Mark Billian
Mentoring Program: Youth First Mentoring
Program Type: Community-Based
Matched: 2019
About This Match:
The Mentee
With the help of his mentor, Zachary has been able to explore a wide array of interests including building an outdoor nature observation structure, interviewing local game wardens, exploring architecture and design, working with therapy animals, and most recently studying Tae Kwon Do. Zachary and his mentor met just two months before the pandemic shut down schools in 2020. Undaunted, they have done a bunch of exploring and had a lot of fun together. Most recently, they both enrolled in a Tae Kwon Do class to build strength, resilience and confidence. Addressing Zachary’s early childhood trauma involving dogs, Mark connected with a local community member who has a therapy dog and other animals on her micro-farm and homestead. Now Zachary regularly spends time with dogs, learning basic skills for handling and directing dogs, as well as visiting with horses and chickens. It’s been wonderful to see Zachary’s confidence grow.
The Mentor
Mark and Zachary are well matched, both very sweet, gentle and inquisitive. Mark has really enjoyed having a young person in his life to spend time with, share and explore interests, and having someone to look out for. He is deeply concerned about the challenges faced by young people today—whether it be childhood trauma, bullying or social challenges due to the pandemic—and finds it very fulfilling to be Zachary’s friend and help him explore his interests.
William & Gabe
The Mentor Connector
Name of Mentee: William
Name of Mentor: Gabe
Mentoring Program: The Mentor Connector
Matched: 2022
William and Gabe are a mentoring match that have much in common: from fishing to problem-solving, their similar personalities and shared interests help them bond. When asked what type of activities they like to do together, William said, “My favorite activities to do with Gabe are fishing and swimming. I learned how to play the ukulele.” In Gabe’s words, “We’re both outdoorsy people. I would say one thing we have in common is we’re both problem solvers; we’ve worked through a lot of different issues. We also discuss many different things about life, so we get a little bit philosophical. William always has some very interesting perspectives and questions. We talk about many topics, from things like car maintenance to careers.” They both think highly of each other: “Gabe is fun. I like a lot of things about him. [Our mentoring relationship is] very good, it makes me feel happy and supported,” William said, smiling. Gabe commented, “What I love about William is that he’s always very perceptive to the things that I have to pitch. He has a willingness to stay with things.” Gabe didn’t have a mentor growing up, so mentoring youth is something he prioritizes even more as a result: “I didn’t really have a mentor growing up. I had some very strong role models, but not a mentor. What the Mentor Connector is doing for a lot of the youth in this area is not something that I was ever exposed to.I think that making a change in society starts with the youth. I’ve seen first-hand how a lot of the things that we work on have impacted William’s life, whether it’s math homework or reading together…I see how that directly impacts his life. It changes his perspective in real-time. You can see how a lesson, or an activity has just changed a child’s paradigm.”
Benji & Kym
Milton Mentors
Name of Mentee: Benji
Name of Mentor: Kym
Mentoring Program: Milton Mentors
Matched: 2015
Benji and Kym are Vermont Mentoring Ambassadors, meaning they are a mentoring pair that is passionate about the impact of mentoring and work with MENTOR Vermont staff and Vermont Mentoring Programs throughout the state to engage different audiences and spread awareness about the mentoring movement. When asked how mentoring has impacted her life, Benji shared, “I think that mentoring has taught me to be a better person. Through mentoring, I feel like I’m an advocate and I protest for what I think is right. I feel like without mentoring, I wouldn’t be able to do that as much as I am now. I think mentoring has helped me grow, especially as a young woman, and learn how to get my voice out there by sharing my message and thoughts. I know a lot of people my age don’t have that big of an opportunity, so I’m just grateful that I have mentoring. Mentoring has taught me how to share my voice.” As an activist, Benji spends much of her time advocating for social justice. Kym spoke about the impact she feels she has on the community: “Mentoring has taught me that you can make a difference in a very small way, with just one person at a time by being there, being a good listener, and understanding.”
Benji and Kym were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2023 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!
Alexis & Megan
Windsor County Mentors
Name of Mentee: Alexis
Name of Mentor: Megan
Mentoring Program: Windsor County Mentors
Matched: 2019
About this Match:
Alexis and Megan learn from, challenge, and inspire each other. For Alexis, this means participating in activities she wouldn’t have been interested in if not for Megan: “Megan is very adventurous and she’s willing to do a lot of things. She pushes me to do things that I never wanted to do, and then I end up actually liking them. We would do a lot of hiking, which I wasn’t a huge fan of at the time. Now I like it a lot more.” Alexis smiles, “Megan has encouraged me to be a lot more open. I’ve always had a hard time accepting new things, and I think the mentor program has helped me a lot with that.” In Megan’s eyes, “I always learn so much from Alexis. She is one of these young people who, when she gets interested in something, goes for it until she knows as much as she can about it. I love the fact that she is willing to try new things. She’s fun to play games with because she’s a really good sport.” Over three and a half years, Megan has seen their mentoring relationship get “closer and closer…having shared that experience of going through those really restrictive times during COVID-19 has made our in-person time all the more enjoyable and valuable.”
Henry & Kenley
Twinfield Together Mentoring
Name of Mentee: Henry
Name of Mentor: Kenley
Mentoring Program: Twinfield Together Mentoring Program
Program Type: Community/School-Based
Matched: 2024
About this Match:
Each week, Henry eagerly awaits Kenley’s arrival, expressing, “Usually whenever Kenley gets into the parking area, I try to find his vehicle as fast as I can. I feel excited when I get to see Kenley.” Their adventures, from exploring historical gems in Montpelier to charming streets in Barre, have become cherished memories. “The thing that’s really great about having a mentor is that you can have so much fun and time passes so quickly when I spend time with Kenley. Usually, I find we often agree about things…I can talk to Kenley about lots of things.” shares Henry, emphasizing the joy he finds in their shared experiences.
Kenley, drawn to the energy of the school hallways, reflects on the fulfillment mentoring brings, saying, “There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing him coming out of the school, and he’s got a big smile on his face and he waves at me when he sees me.” Since his recent retirement, Kenley says he has found purpose in mentoring, each session becoming a highlight in his week.
One of the most rewarding parts of our work at MENTOR Vermont is getting to know the mentors and mentees that participate in mentoring programs across the state. Read the stories below and meet some of the people who make the Vermont mentoring community so vibrant!