Did you know that mentoring transforms lives?❤️
Research shows that kids with mentors view themselves and their futures more positively than those without mentors. Not only do they view themselves in a more confident light, but they also achieve more positive outcomes in school, the workplace, and their communities. We all know that growing up is challenging, but, with a mentor, it’s a little easier. And that’s exactly why I’ve chosen to be a mentor with UK's College Mentors for Kids!
UK's College Mentors for Kids connects college students with kids from local Lexington elementary schools and provides an environment for learning on UK's campus. By promoting the power⚡️of mentoring, UK's College Mentors can positively affect young elementary kids by building on soft-skills and participating in fun learning activities alongside their mentors!
I enjoy volunteering because I get to spend invaluable time⏰with my little buddies each week and participate in various activities, such as learning about internet safety to interacting with UK students on campus. Not only does my little buddy benefit from College Mentors for Kids, but I learn a great deal as well. This program teaches me the importance of finding similarities with others and building on these connections. And in the meantime, I'm developing important leadership and communication skills.
My first semester as a UK College Mentor was in the spring of my freshman year. As a new mentor, I had the amazing opportunity of mentoring Vikk, a fun-loving student who keeps himself extremely busy with sports! Our favorite activity was with our lemonade stand, where we got to create posters, make lemonade, and promote UK's College Mentors for Kids! On other activity days, we could always play Pokemon games and share funny stories about our friends or our classes. Throughout my first semester as a College Mentor, we had a blast!
Now, in my second semester as a mentor, I have two buddies - Bryson and Charles - who have already been astonishing to mentor. On our first day of activity, we got to share our love for Chick-fil-A, talk about sports idols, and solve difficult math problems! As their mentor, I can't wait to participate in more fun activities, build on our mentorship, and give them even more math problems to do. In addition to being a mentor, this semester, I am also a Transportation Officer! As a TO, I commute with all of the little buddies to and from UK's campus on activity days. With having the chance to meet and connect with kids outside of my buddy family, I feel like I have 30+ buddies every week!
Although UK's College Mentors for Kids is an amazing program for both young kids and college students, I can't continue mentoring without your help. Please consider making a donation to help me meet my fundraising goal! Your contribution will allow us to continue this program on UK's campus so that we can spread the power of mentoring✨.
- Tuan Ngo, UK Class of 2025
