Mentoring Awards Celebration 2023 — Great Life Mentoring
Like many non-profit organizations, Great Life Mentoring (GLM) would be nothing without its volunteers. But in our view, GLM mentors are extra special. GLM is an award-winning, evidence-based practice in which adult volunteers provide one-on-one mentoring to youth from low-resource families who are receiving outpatient mental health treatment. One of the things that makes GLM such a successful program is the commitment of its mentors to be a long-term presence in the lives of the children they mentor. They know the kids of GLM may have been let down by other people in their lives, and they want to renew these children’s faith that they are worthy of love and belonging. They will always have someone in their corner. GLM mentors positively impact children’s lives by showing up each week with consistency, supportive interactions, and hope.
At the end of each year, GLM celebrates mentors who hit one, five, ten, 15 and 20 years of service. This month, nine mentors earned their one-year medallions, four received an award for five years and one for ten years of service. Congratulations to each of these wonderful people and the kids who are so fortunate to benefit from their faithful friendships.
The following individuals received a medallion for one year of loyal service:
Robyn Dahl - Kaitlin Keegan - Moriah Wynne - Debra Hays - Holly Riggsby - Stephanie Fleischman - Laura Ford - Kelli Thompson - Amy Garrison
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Robyn Dahl - Kaitlin Keegan - Moriah Wynne - Debra Hays - Holly Riggsby - Stephanie Fleischman - Laura Ford - Kelli Thompson - Amy Garrison 〰️
Eight of those mentors were able to extended their mentoring commitments and have continued on with their friend.
Lauren Varney - Five Years of Loyal Service
Lauren started mentoring for GLM in 2018, right when she started college (she graduated in 2022, double majoring in Digital Technology and Culture and Fine Arts). She currently works at the Oregon Center for Contemporary Art, doing marketing and social media. In her free time, she loves racing (J/24) sailboats on the Columbia River. She learned to sail in the summer of 2022 and has been participating in races weekly since the spring of 2023. She also enjoys cooking now that she’s done with school and has more free time.
Lauren was drawn to GLM’s robust mentor training program and ongoing mentor support. “I was so impressed with what I had heard about the program, specifically the multi-month training and selection process, as well as the ongoing support GLM provides to mentors ... I was curious what I could learn from the training and how I could grow through the experience.” “To help people, to have an impact, and to be a part of something bigger than myself–these are all reasons I got involved with Great Life Mentoring.”
As she celebrates five years with her friend, Lauren reflects on their relationship over the years. “We experienced a meaningful shift after extending past the one-year mark, just like GLM predicted.” (GLM requires mentors to commit to at least one year of mentoring as that ensures better outcomes for the youth). “I remember the look of worry on her face when she asked me if we would continue seeing each other, and the relief that washed over her when I told her we could if she wanted to. She said she very much did want to, and we've been meeting regularly ever since! I am so glad that we chose to extend past the one-year commitment. It was the easiest decision ever. When I met her in 2018 she was 11, now she is almost 16!”
One of Lauren’s favorite memories with her friend was shopping for a dress for her friend’s school dance. “I am an only child, and she has brothers only, so since the beginning, we shared this desire to be ‘like sisters.’ After we picked out the dress, we were walking to my car and she said, ‘You helped me pick out my dress for a school dance, it's really like we are sisters now!’ It was the sweetest thing. I love having a little ‘sister.’ She was also able to attend my college graduation. That was a special moment for me, because I met her when I started college, and she had been around for all of it.”
In addition to mentoring, Lauren has volunteered for GLM in other capacities. “I had the pleasure of interning with Great Life Mentoring my sophomore year of college, during which I helped out with social media and content creation. That early college internship experience helped me grow professionally and truly led me to where I am today! Great Life Mentoring has enriched my life over the past five years, both personally and professionally. It's been an honor to be part of such a fantastic organization.”
When asked what she would like others to know about GLM, she says, “The phrase we hear around GLM a lot is ‘The life you change may be your own,’ and this has absolutely been my experience! The friendship I have with this young person has been unique and wonderful. She has even expressed wanting to become a mentor herself when she is old enough. I am a better person today because of my friend, and I am forever thankful for this experience. We want to be friends forever!”
You can read more about Lauren here: The Ascent of Being Lauren Varney.
Sandra Berrios - Five Years of Loyal Service
Sandra Berrios is many things: A dog mom, a yogi, an avid hiker and reader. She also loves to meet new people. She says she is “curious by nature, and always has many questions” when making new acquaintances. We’re positive this characteristic is one of many that makes Sandra an amazing mentor.
Another thing that makes Sandra such a great mentor is her empathetic nature. She says, “Professionally, I try to lead with empathy and maintain humility. Everyone has a story.”
Like other mentors, Sandra became a mentor because she was influenced by others in her own life. “I had a lot of mentors along the way who guided me through various aspects of my life (new job, new town, relationships, self-development, etc.), and I wanted to give back as much as I’ve received. I was lucky enough to be matched with an amazing Kiddo!”
Also, like other mentors, Sandra admits she and her friend experienced challenges in the beginning, but they have come a long way in their five years together. “We went from two awkward friends to two lifelong friends. In the beginning, I would be the initiator of meetings and conversations. Now, she seeks me out when she needs to talk and is always thinking of how I will continue to play a role in her adult life. One thing she told me ‘I can’t wait to be in college, maybe Alaska, and you can come visit and I’ll show you around!’”
Sandra recently relocated to Texas from Portland to be closer to family, but she still stays in contact with her friend and sees her when she visits the area. When asked to share some of her favorite memories with her friends, she says two in particular stand out. “She didn’t quite understand why I was spending time with her, so she tried to set me up with her Principal! When I asked why she thought I needed to be set up, her response was ‘You must be lonely, why else would you want to hang out with me?’ That conversation brought us closer as I explained that she was my friend and I cared for her. That is why I was spending time with her.” As for the second, she says “We went to a farmer’s market, walked around, and ended up at one of the vendor’s shops. The guy asked if we were related, and she looked at me and just stared. I responded, we are not, we are just good friends. After we left, she commented on how she thought that was nice, that I said we were friends.”
When asked what she would like others to know about GLM, Sandra says, “GLM is making a difference in these kids’ lives! I saw it with my friend and still see it with her. She was dealing with so many adversities when I met her, and to see her overcome them is incredible!”
In addition to mentoring, Sandra served as a GLM Board member from 2020 to 2023. We are thankful for her many contributions and dedication to this organization. You can read more about Sandra here: Influencing Kindness.
Willow O’Briant - Five Years of Loyal Service
Making a difference and helping others is nothing new for Willow. As her day job, Willow is a job developer: She supports people with developmental disabilities to find and maintain integrated employment.
Willow became a mentor because she had mentors in her own life who helped sculpt who she is today. “I am grateful for the many people in my life, especially as a young teen/adult, who mentored me, either formally or informally, and I know they changed my life in many ways and impacted who I am.” She continues, “I love my family, but I also believe everyone should have people in their life who are not family but who love, pour into their lives, support them, and are there for them as they go through life. I want that for every kid, and since I don't have kids of my own, I have the time and energy to give it to others … Mentoring is one of the best ways you can volunteer your time. It's been one of the true joys of my life to know my friend.” Willow may not have kids of her own, but she “loves being an aunt to [her] two nieces and four nephews.” She and her husband are also dog parents to their fur baby, Moxie.
Willow has enjoyed watching her friend grow up and mature throughout their relationship. “We met when she was 10, and now she is almost 16, so that is a lot of change for her. We have a lot more in common now vs. at the beginning. I love that she trusts me now and shares things with me. I hope we stay friends for many years. She is an amazing young woman, and I am so proud of who she is and what she has survived. I’m looking forward to continuing to watch her grow up and become more of who she is.”
While things are great today, Willow admits it hasn’t always been easy. “I am so glad I kept going even when it was hard. [In the beginning], she wasn't open with me and didn't say much or seem like she wanted to hang out. The first year meeting every week was hard, but we stuck it out, and I am so glad we are still friends five years later.” Willow says one of the things that helped build their relationship was connecting directly to coordinate time together vs. Willow speaking with her friend’s grandmother. “I knew that if she said yes to doing something, she meant it. and it wasn't just her grandma wanting her to see me. We also text randomly and check in, just to say hi.”
Willow and her friend enjoy doing a variety of activities together, including First Fridays in Camas, the Vancouver Night Market, clothing exchanges, attending art events, trying new foods, shopping at antique/vintage shops, dressing up for Halloween and perusing Barnes and Noble (Willow is an avid reader). They even rode the train into Portland one time to explore. But Willow says, “The best thing is when we are just talking. Sometimes we will be in my car going somewhere, and she tells me things and we end up sitting in the car for a while just catching up.”
When asked if there is anything she’d like others to know about GLM, Willow shared, “Last Thanksgiving, I texted her that I am thankful we are friends, and she replied ‘I am incredibly thankful for you.’ It made my year.”
Emily Dunbar - Five Years of Loyal Service
Emily Dunbar has volunteered, working faithfully behind the scenes in support of GLM every week, for 5 years! To succeed, A nonprofit organization needs many people playing different roles and by law it requires a Board of Directors.
Since 2018, Emily has served in every leadership position on the Board and she is currently serving as President. She was a founding board member in GLM’s launch to becoming a 501c3 which was a tremendous amount of work and aligned the organization to support more kids in need in new communities.
Because she values the service of GLM mentors so much, Emily is often careful to differentiate between her contributions as a board member and the invaluable contributions of mentors. She feels the real difference-makers are the mentors building relationships and showing up for kids in need, but she humbly says she is “more than happy to do what she can to support the organization’s evolution and expansion.”
This past year Emily served an average of ten hours per month, while working a full time corporate job, being a single parent and earning her Master’s degree! Her leadership and self sacrifice has been absolutely outstanding and GLM is enriched because of her service.
You can read more about Emily here: Emily and The Office.
Jessica Chan - Ten Years of Loyal Service
Jessica Chan is a dynamic, creative and outgoing individual. She is a passionate entrepreneur and the proud owner and founder of Pop-Local and Night Market Vancouver. She is unwaveringly committed to her mission of fueling the growth of small businesses. Driven by a passion to empower and amplify the unique narratives of local brands, Jessica aims to build a vibrant and interconnected community. Pop-Local, a brick-and-mortar establishment situated on the Vancouver, WA waterfront, stands as a welcoming retail haven for over 200 local brands embodying Jessica’s dedication to promoting and celebrating the best of the local business community.
Jessica was inspired to join GLM because of her own experience; the profound impact a single supportive adult had on her growing up, and how it continued to affect her throughout her life. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, "I came into this hoping to potentially help and mentor a single child, yet the reciprocal influence it has had on my personal growth has been significant. Being able to witness the remarkable development and growth of my mentee has been nothing short of magical and has only pushed me to be a greater leader and friend. I am immensely proud of the person she has become." Jess passionately believes in the lasting significance of being a part of someone's life during their formative years, emphasizing the profound impact of dedicating time and providing the opportunity for genuine acknowledgment. "To contribute to the development of a child's foundational identity, even in a small capacity, can create far-reaching effects beyond our imagination. Never underestimate the magnitude of such an influence."
Reflecting on her ten years as a mentor, Jessica says, “After a decade of shared experiences, it's challenging to capture the many cherished memories we've had together! Our first outing ever, I recall us both being tinged with nervous excitement, yet it fostered a bond that was rooted in the authentic companionship of simply wanting to spend time together. That day, we walked around the mall, hopped on a train and engaged in a lively match on a giant chessboard.” She continues, “Over time, the initial shyness melted away, and I had the privilege of witnessing my friend’s remarkable growth and presence in many moments–from her bold performance in a talent show to her confident embrace of the microphone at a big event, and even our exhilarating rollercoaster adventure. Our shared love for crafting and creating has remained a constant thread throughout our journey. One of my fondest memories is an evening we spent baking cookies and watching a movie while making scarves with old T-shirts. And on several occasions throughout the years, crafting new friendship bracelets for one another. My friend has blossomed into a truly exceptional woman, guided by an admirable moral compass. She's extremely compassionate and a beacon of positivity and wisdom, far beyond her years.”
When asked what she would like others to know about GLM, Jessica says, “Elizabeth (Higley), the mentors and board members wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to their mission. They firmly believe in the profound and transformative impact their work can have on the lives of young people. I have had the privilege of serving as a mentor and a board member, and I've witnessed firsthand. This passion permeates every aspect of all that GLM does.” She continues, “the depth of influence that mentorship can have on youth and the wider community, as its positive effects ripple outward and goes beyond words. GLM changes lives. It's an honor to be a part of this powerful movement, helping to shape the trajectory of young lives and foster a more promising future.”
You can read more about Jessica here: Stay Positive. Work Hard. Make it Happen.