Mentoring Mentoring Stories

Ever wonder what mentoring is really like? Below are just a few examples from across Greater Pittsburgh of what happens when a caring adult connects with a young person by becoming a volunteer mentor. Some of the names have been changed to provide anonymity, but the stories are real.

Nathan & Brandon

Program:: CareBreak at the Watson Institute
Area:: Sewickley

Nathan Koble wanted to mentor to impact a child but had no idea how much mentoring would truly change him. When Nathan moved back to Pittsburgh from Washington DC he was eager to catch his breath. He had spent years as a lobbyist for a government agency - a job that was intense and consuming.
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Grant & Mission Discovery

Program:: Mission Discovery
Area:: North Shore

When Grant graduated from college with a degree in communication, he was confronted with the task of starting a career. In his search, he found himself volunteering with Mission Discovery. At first he felt uneasy about working with youth for the first time.
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Melanie & Jacquayla

Program:: Gwen's Girls
Area:: Point Breeze North

Jaquayla is a 15 year old female who lives at the Gwen's Girls residential group home. Gwen's Girls is a non-profit organization that works with girls ages 8-18 to teach them the importance of self-sufficiency through education, love and support.
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Thomas & Jonathan

Program:: Beginning with Books
Area:: East Liberty

As a retired teacher, Thomas enjoyed spending his time in the library. One day, a brochure that read "Read Together" caught his eye. It was from Beginning with Books, a center for early literacy. He took a brochure and called to see how he could get involved.
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Robyn & Tammy

Program:: YMCA at UPMC Braddock
Area:: Braddock

When Tammy first came to the center, she was a 13 year old, very shy girl who had recently lost her mother. She was paired with her mentor, Robyn. During this difficult time in Tammy's life, Robyn was able to mentor with her one-on-one.
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Mike & Lamont

Program:: Amachi Pittsburgh
Area:: Downtown Pittsburgh

Lamont entered the program three years ago unsure of what his mother has signed him up for. "Amachi? What is that?" he asked himself. It was explained to him that "Amachi" is a Nigerian Ibo word that means: "Who knows what God has brought us through this child."
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Dominick & Warren

Program:: Allegheny Youth Development
Area:: North Side

Dominick Jones-Moriarty and Warren Butler are working to create a positive intergenerational tradition, improving the lives of several at-risk youth in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
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