Mentoring Awards Celebration 2025 — 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. 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 GLM kids may have been let down by other people in their lives, and mentors want to renew these children’s faith that they are worthy of love and belonging—that they will always have someone in their corner. GLM mentors positively impact children’s lives by consistently showing up each week, being supportive and instilling hope.
In the last quarter of each year, GLM celebrates mentors who hit milestone service anniversaries. This month, the GLM Staff and Board of Directors hosted a brunch to celebrate all mentors. Among them were nine mentors who earned their one-year medallions, one who received an award for five years and three for six 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:
Kamron Safari - Maddie Hennerty - Mike Myers - Don George - Krystin Rose - Kendall Reimer - Kyle Armstrong - Navan Bansal - Alan Rothstein
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Kamron Safari - Maddie Hennerty - Mike Myers - Don George - Krystin Rose - Kendall Reimer - Kyle Armstrong - Navan Bansal - Alan Rothstein 〰️
The following features highlight longer-term mentors:
Rhonda Haigh - Six Years of Loyal Service
Rhonda has lived in the Pacific Northwest her entire life. Now semi-retired, Rhonda built a career in corporate finance. She is the mother of three children and grandmother to two granddaughters. Rhonda has volunteered for many years, primarily in the literacy space.
Rhonda found GLM on VolunteerMatch, and our ad really spoke to her. Her own childhood was challenging, and she knew what a difference it can make in a child’s life to know someone cared. Rhonda met her friend just two months before the pandemic, when her friend was still in elementary school. Now she is a sophomore in high school, and they’ve experienced so many life changes together.
Rhonda was so happy to drive her friend to her first day of high school. Starting high school can bring anxiety, and they were able to talk about it in the 20 minute drive to school, working out jitters. What a great way to be there for her friend! They also went to a Taylor Swift concert together at a theater. Her friend loves Taylor so much, and it was wonderful to share the joy. Rhonda’s favorite times are ordinary trips to Burgerville and hearing about what’s going on in her friend’s life.
Rhonda shares, “There are so many kids that need someone consistently in their lives, even if your childhood didn’t have that, you are uniquely qualified to be there for someone else. And don’t be surprised when you realize you are benefiting as much as the child you get to mentor.” Rhonda’s favorite Greek proverb: “A society grows when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.”
Greta Cairns - Six Years of Loyal Service
Greta is proud to be a strong woman, mother, grandmother, friend, teacher and business executive. She advocates for those who have faced challenges in life. She loves to be active and engaged in opportunities that allow her to grow and thrive in life. Her aim is to always leverage her life experiences, knowledge and expertise to help others. She got involved with GLM to help, support and be a true listening ear when needed.
Over the years, Greta’s relationship with her friend has grown from offering new opportunities and life experiences to providing more ‘food for thought.’ As a young teenager, her friend had a limited view of fun and lacked self confidence. Opening the door to new opportunities was critical to broadening that perspective and building self confidence. Relieving stress by doing something outside of her normal environment while being supported by a non-family member was crucial.
Greta’s friend told her that she always appreciated opportunities to step outside their comfort zone. One favorite memory was meeting Greta’s horse. There was an instant connection and an opportunity to learn about horses, their herd mentality and pecking order! Plus, over time, she built confidence through grooming and interacting with the horses.
Greta would like others to know that GLM is a significant conduit to growth in the understanding of humanity. “Giving time to someone else also gives you a sense of purpose,” Greata shares, “GLM offers new and valuable relationships to all who want to experience it.”
Krista Abt - Six Years of Loyal Service
Krista’s family moved to the Portland Metro area from Spokane in 2005. She has three boys that are all grown now. Krista has two dogs, a lab and a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. She has always loved working with kids, even babysitting her niece and nephew for awhile. She always wanted to be a teacher, graduating college with a teaching degree in early elementary education. It was only after she started working in a middle school that she realized she loved working with young adults.
One summer, she was looking for volunteer jobs and saw GLM’s need for mentors. She sees kids all the time at work who could use a trusted adult in their lives. She decided to be that person for one specific youth, and she is so glad that she decided to do it! She has gotten to know a wonderful, creative, funny person who has become an important part of her life.
When they first met, the youth was nine and had a hard time opening up. While still shy today, Krista says her friend has opened up to her completely, and she is glad to have been able to be there for him. He loves looking through CD's and listening to heavy metal music. They visited the pet store at the mall to see the snakes, lizards, rats, spiders and frogs. He had pet rats for a while and loves cats. Krista and her friend have been known to take the long way back to his house so they can keep talking. They always enjoy the GLM events. They have gone to the pumpkin patch, zoolights and, last year, a haunted house. Krista tries to change up the activities now and then.
Courtnee Barrette - Five Years of Loyal Service
Courtnee came from a large family and loves being an aunt to six amazing nieces and nephews. She has a bit of the travel bug and tries to explore a new place each year, challenging herself by getting outside her comfort zone. Sometimes that brings an adventure or activity that she can’t pronounce! This year, she is pursuing her scuba certification. When she is home, you can find her catching up with friends or getting lost in a good book.
Being an aunt showed Courtnee how important it is for kids to have someone steady and supportive in their lives. She also knows from her own childhood how valuable it can be to have someone outside of your immediate circle who you can turn to for guidance and encouragement. It’s for these reasons that she decided to get involved. When she discovered GLM, she loved that their focus wasn't just on short-term volunteering but building genuine, lasting relationships. For her, it felt like the perfect way to give back.
Courtnee and her friend first met during COVID, which made for a bit of an awkward start. With both of them wearing masks, it wasn't always easy to connect right away. But over time, their friendship grew. It's been amazing to watch her friend grow into the fun, smart and thoughtful person she is today. They laugh about how much has changed, especially now that Courtnee’s friend is taller than she is! What Courtnee loves now is seeing how excited her friend is for the future and being able to cheer her on as she discovers who she's becoming.
One of Courtnee’s favorite experiences is the first time they went rock climbing together. They both have a fear of heights, so it was a little scary at first, but they pushed through it! Now her friend even goes rock climbing with her own friends . Courtnee also appreciates that her friend is willing to teach her all the new lingo kids are using these days. Thanks to her friend, Courtnee says she can keep up with her nieces and nephews and pretend she’s a little cooler than she really is.
Courtnee would like others to know that GLM is such a special program. She says, “Not only is it a chance to meet amazing people and make a real difference, but it also surprises you with how much you learn about yourself along the way.” Courtnee is thankful for the care, training and preparation that goes into supporting both mentors and mentees. It really shows how much thought is put into making these relationships successful, and she is just happy to be a part of it.