Mentor Monday: Meet Jill

Summer Celebration at Cheesecake Factory
Mya Passed the SOL's!

Q. Who is your mentee?
A. Ramya  (Mya), 11 years old.

Q. How long have you been a mentor?

A. 2-1/2 years.

Q. What is the best thing about mentoring?
A. I get to have so much fun! What a great excuse to do kid stuff-we go to the zoo, the aquarium, cartoon movies, make handmade cards, dye Easter eggs... I can't think go any fun thing that Mya wouldn't want to go to.

Q. What has the biggest challenge been?
A. I think the hardest part for me is that I can't control what happens when she is not with me- I can't protect her from everything. Whether it's a mean kid at school or something going on at home, I can't solve all the problems- just listen and offer my best guess on what to do.

Q. What made you become a mentor?
A. I love kids and I really wanted to find a way to consistently give back to the community.  Mentoring is a fun way to help, and TeamUP gives me the opportunity to really see the difference I'm making.

Mya's 5th Grade Graduation 

Q. Why would you recommend someone become a mentor?
A. It's so much fun! And it also really opens yours eyes to another view on the world that you may not have any experience in.  Hanging out with Mya helps me put things in perspective- she is such a strong person at only 11. I learn just as much from her as she doesn't from me!

Q. What was the biggest surprise about mentoring?
A. I've been amazed at how quickly Mya and her family have become like family to me- she is no longer a commitment I keep, she's a fully integrated part of my life.  I keep up with what's going on with her siblings, grandparents, mom, aunts and uncles and I am always filling her in on what's going on in my family and friend world too.  We talk about everything and exchange opinions and advice, just like another little sister.

Q. Anything else you'd like to share?
A. I'm excited to watch Mya grow up and find out who she will become. I feel so proud of how far she has come in the 2.5 years I've known her, and I fully expect to be in her life for a very long time. She has big dreams- she wants to become an obstetrician- and I am planning to support her all the way there!