Athletes for Kids has been a truly meaningful part of my life, and it continues to teach me about friendship and kindness. I started in the program in 9th grade to learn and prepare prior to being matched with my buddy in my sophomore year. Each week, I look forward to spending time with my buddy. Even when my schedule is packed with school and sports, meeting with my buddy gives me a welcome break and a chance to focus on what matters.
We spend our time building with Lego, chatting about our week, or just hanging out at the park. Every visit feels worthwhile and helps us connect more. I enjoy listening to my buddy share about his day and watching him grow and change. It’s rewarding to see moments where he lights up as we try new things together, and I appreciate how our friendship develops with each meeting.
My buddy's positive attitude and energy encourage me to be more present and bring a positive attitude to my own life. I’m grateful for our friendship and for the chance to be part of his journey. I’m looking forward to creating more great memories together and appreciate the opportunity to be a mentor in the Athletes for Kids community.
Mentee Parent
Over the past year, our son and Aidan’s bond has grown in such a genuine and joyful way. Our son often talks about Aidan, and recently he told us, very earnestly, that “Aidan will go to college and I will miss him a lot. When will he come back from college to meet me?” Hearing this from our son truly speaks volumes about the kind of person Aidan is and the trust, connection, and warmth he brings into our son's life.
We are incredibly thankful for Athlete for Kids and the role it has played in our son's growth. Through this program, he has gained confidence, felt a sense of belonging, and been inspired by positive peer relationships. In fact, his experience with Aidan motivated him to sign up for the Mustang Mates buddy program at Margaret Mead Elementary, where he is now excited to be a buddy to a kindergartener. That sense of empathy and leadership is something we directly attribute to his experience with Athlete for Kids.
Aidan will truly be missed, and we are so grateful for the impact he has had on our family.
Thank you as well to the entire Athlete for Kids team for creating such a thoughtful, supportive program.