From Kristin

Hi everyone,

I'm excited to introduce my mentee, Malika Hinds, to you. She is a junior at Bronx Academy of Letters High School in New York City. She is loved by all her teachers, has great friends, a beautiful spirit and wants to grow up to be a Psychologist to "help people get through the stuff they gotta get through". Naturally, I am proud of her for that. I've been her mentor for 8 months and we've done everything from ice skate, to attend career days, to text about music and relationships.

I honestly believe that a mentoring relationship can be the single-most influential relationship for youth, particularly those who don't have the structure, guidance and encouragement most of us were afforded. Even in my work as a Social Worker, I know that the most important thing is building a respectful and trusting relationship with the youth so that they can hear what I say and follow what I do. I encourage all of you to be a mentor to someone...anyone. Don't hold all you've learned for yourself. The children really are our future. Don't just say it. Believe it. Act like it.

To keep mentoring programs like the one I am apart of, iMentor, we need the support of those who care. I'm asking you to give any amount you can to help keep this program thriving so students can continue to receive guidance, support and encouragement from the mentors who care about them. My goal is to raise $1000 in the next few weeks.

I thank you for your time, your support and your encouragement. And a special thanks to MY mentors (yes, even 25-year-olds need mentors) who lead by example every day and tell me they’re proud of me - it truly keeps me going.

Kristin