Living Life In Spite of Difficulty
When you are thirteen and have a persistent depressive disorder called dysthymia, you may feel hopeless, inadequate and uninterested in normal daily activities. These feelings can last for years and interfere with your life, school and relationships. Such was the case for Bella, who was living in foster care due to having been abused in her biological family.
Bella’s mental health therapist believed that involvement in Great Life Mentoring, a research-based mental health intervention, could benefit Bella, and she was willing to give it a try.
Great Life Mentoring introduced Bella to her mentor, Christina, a well-trained and supported volunteer who was committed to spending time with her each week for at least one year. The two were matched based on compatibility and interests, though the primary driver was Christina’s reliability.
Around halfway through the year, Bella began to trust that Christina was a person of her word. She showed up when she said she would and followed through with every plan. If she said they would go to the zoo, they went to the zoo. Whatever the activity was, Bella could count on it.
But it was more than that. Christina became a safe haven for Bella and that was something new in her life. She was patient, non-judgmental, consistent and faithful. Each time Bella had to move from one foster home to another, Christina found her and showed up right on time. That meant the world to Bella. They decided to extend their relationship beyond the initial one-year commitment.
When Bella decided to engage in a sport, she practiced and trained all year. Then it came time to compete, and Bella said she took a deep breath and looked for her mentor in the crowd. There was Christina, alert and watching. Bella gave her a thumbs up and went for it! She knew could do it with her mentor by her side.
When they were looking at photos, Bella remarked, “I look so happy.” She knows what she wants in life and has a trusted friend to support her along the way. Bella said it was Christina who encouraged her to live her life in spite of the difficulties.
If you would like to be a mentor like Christina, please contact Great Life Mentoring. Volunteer opportunities in Vancouver, WA and volunteer opportunities in Portland, OR are available now.