Paying It Forward — Abhijith Jayakumar
Receiving support and help from someone who expects nothing in return can have a powerful effect on someone’s life. Abhijith (Abhi) Jayakumar knows this firsthand. It’s why he’s chosen to pay it forward by being a youth mentor.
“Growing up, I benefited significantly from being mentored,” Abhi shares. “I grew up in India, where there is intense competition in every field, and it would be easy to get disheartened. I was blessed to have a mentor who was my guide and sounding board.”
Abhi received his education in India and started working with General Electric afterward. He started volunteering just a few years later, in 2009. “I wanted to support kids,” he shares. “In India, I enrolled as a mentor for a differently-abled child. We used to meet on Saturdays and talk about his week.” He volunteered with nonprofits that focused on kids and education, many of which were programs supported by General Electric. One opportunity allowed him to help paint a school.
Mentoring Youth in the United States
Abhi moved to the United States in 2014 for his job. He continued to volunteer, but it was more limited given his relocation. In 2022, he wanted to move beyond individual mentorship and get involved on a larger scale. “I was on the lookout for an organization that did meaningful work but not too big that it was riddled with bureaucracy.” It was then that he found Great Life Mentoring. “Great Life Mentoring helped me get trained, the team was very supportive and it worked out well.”
Abhi joined Great Life Mentoring’s Board of Directors in May 2023. He knows firsthand the effect youth mentoring can have on an individual’s life. “Being a mentor for youth is important because it provides guidance, support, and positive role models to help young people develop essential life skills, make informed decisions, and reach their full potential,” Abhi shares. “It can have a lasting, positive impact on their lives.”
With Great Life Mentoring, Abhi saw how their mentoring program for youth in low-resource families who have mental health needs was well-thought-out and executed. “Everything about Great Life Mentoring is backed by studies, research and data,” he shares.
“The entire team does an amazing job of making sure Great Life Mentoring practices are created based on research by subject matter experts. Another huge differentiator was the process of choosing mentors. They have a very thorough process of selecting and training both mentors and board members.”
Now an advertising professional, Abhi knows he would not be where he is today if it hadn’t been for his own mentors. He is happy to be paying it forward to youth in need through Great Life Mentoring. When he is not volunteering, Abhi loves to travel and hopes to visit all 50 states – a dream shared by the Great Life Mentoring team, who hope to someday have the program across the United States. To help, sign up as a volunteer or donate today.
