Success Stories

Suzy is seven. She lives with her mother, who grew up in the Dominican Republic and whose English is limited. Suzy's father has been in and out of her life at irregular intervals. Her mother first referred Suzy's older brother to the mentoring program, because she was concerned about his behavior problems. She then realized mentoring might help Suzy, too. Suzy's mother works two jobs and wanted Suzy to have more adult attention. Jane was a great mentor match for Suzy because they both love to go to the beach and "just play". Suzy worries a lot about her mother's problems, and mentoring gives Suzy a place to be "just a kid".

At one point last year, Jane began to see signs of unusual stress in Suzy, who was getting into trouble at school and in the after-school program. The staff of the mentor program helped Suzy's mother get family counseling to help deal with a family crisis that was fueling Suzy's angry, worried behavior. Jane has been able to continue as a mentor for Suzy without feeling pressured to be a counselor or social worker, and feels reassured that the family is getting needed help.