Being a mentor has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. My buddy has been like a little brother to me and has taught me how to be a better person in many ways, like through patience and understanding. He’s also taught me many new slang words and memes.
My favorite memory is playing basketball with my buddy’s whole family at the park for the whole 2 hours I was there. I’m excited to continue mentoring my buddy for the rest of the school year and summer and to keep in contact with him for the rest of my life.
Mentee Parent
After spending a year with Alister’s older brother as his mentor, my son was paired with Alister last year. The transition took a little time—especially learning to get Alister’s name right—but the two of them quickly formed a wonderful bond.
Whether they are outside playing football, soccer, basketball, or pickleball, or spending a rainy day indoors playing board games and video games, they are always laughing and having fun. My son looks forward to their time together every week. No matter the season or what else may be changing in his life, he knows he can count on Alister to be there.
As a parent, I am incredibly grateful that we found such a positive and dependable role model through Athletes for Kids. I hope Alister and all the program’s young mentors recognize how meaningful their commitment truly is. By simply showing up, sharing their time, and building a genuine friendship, they can make a lasting difference in someone’s life. I hope this program continues inspiring mentors and families for many years to come.