Service to All Mankind
 

Last night I received great news. (No, I didn't save money on my car insurance :P) A young lady that I have been mentoring since I was in undergrad just received a full college scholarship!!! I cannot put into words how wonderful this feels. We were paired in a mentoring program that I participated in through my membership in the city's urban league. When I met this young lady, she was simply out of control. She was being raised by a hard-working single mom. She had 2 older sisters, one was strung-out on drugs, and the other was a chronic welfare mom. This young lady had no hope, for all she saw was the environment around her.
It took some time, but over the years she became like my little sister. I'll never forget one day when we were out, we ran into a group of her friends and she introduced me as her sister. I felt so proud. Then I got this news last night. When I visited their home, her mother and I cried and hugged for what seemed like forever. I was so touched when her mom said that this would not have happened without me. To top it all off, my mentee said that she wants to attend Florida A&M University because that is what made me the "fantastic person" that I am. I was touched. Just relating it to you all brings tears to my eyes. I feel like a proud mama.
Over the years, we both put in a lot of work. I had to play teacher, sister, mama, friend, life-coach, mediator, etc. But I received so many intrinsic rewards from this mentorship that it was well worth. Now to see that my baby is going to be a first generation college student, and without all of the financial worries...it is just the greatest feeling ever.

Anyhow, I want to dedicate this thread to stories of community service. We are all service oriented people, so feel free to relate your touching, enlightening, even funny stories about community service here.

Congratulations!

See, you aren't ALL talk! :p :D :cool:

That is wonderful news! :)

Soror, that's WONDERFUL news!!! Send your mentee sincere congrats!! :)

That's beautiful!

I am so proud of you and your mentee!!! It so glad to see you have change the life of a young person in a positive direction...

that's a wonderful story. it just goes to show that one person CAN make a difference:D

This is wonderful news Soror! :D One of my students from the Upward Bound Program that I work for over the summer has also received a full scholarship :cool: :cool: :cool: Praise GOD!
:)

CONGRATS LS!!!
 

CONGRATS LS!!!!! That is great!

Soror, that is great!!
I'm very happy for this young woman and am so glad that you were there to help make a difference in her life!!
SC

Thanks again, she did all of the work. I am proud of that kid.

I thought there would be more responses to this thread. I'm a little disappointed :( . There have to be more community service stories amongst GC readers. (SF's here is your chance to shine...get your shine on ;))

Re: Service to All Mankind
 

This is both touching and inspiring. I recently went through orientation of a local program and I should have my new mentee by the end of the month. At first I was a bit apprehensive because I am also starting grad school, but once I did the interview (to determine my interests to match me appropriately) I got so psyched by the opportunity to verbalize my reasons for wanting to be a mentor. I am so excited! Your story makes me feel more than ready to hopefully start building a nurturing and long lasting relationship.

^^ That is great! You will definitely enjoy it. I really benefitted from the mentorship as well because for some reason, when I was in undergrad at the time I felt so lonely. Plus, I'd never had a younger sibling, so I was ecstatic about having a "little". I am sure that you will get many intrinsic rewards from your mentorship. Your "little" will benefit greatly from your guidance and fine example. :)