ARIE
"...you should always surround yourself with people who inspire you to move towards the best future."
I have moved a lot in my life and in turn met a lot of people throughout my teenage years. I’m from the Midwest- Missouri farm life where I named the cows. Then Kansas- I had neighbors that weren't my family. From Kansas I moved to Colorado to find out that land is not always flat. The mountains became my favorite horizon. Finally, I followed my dreams of dancing to California. I have stayed in Los Angeles because of the friends and the home I have built here. I know we aren't on this earth to be alone. No matter what life has handed you or where you are at currently, you should always surround yourself with people who inspire you to move towards the best future. I believe in the power of love and in being present. Good City Mentors opens up the space for exactly that. I saw the importance and I just had to say YES to being a mentor!
Walking into the school I thought I would feel scared or like I was stepping into risk. That’s the way people paint these areas of town, but I didn't see that. I saw high school students, young adults, laughing, playing, gossiping and doing what teenagers do. This is a school where students are always coming and going. With all the moving I’ve done growing up, I could relate to the fears and hardships that come with constant change. I know how it is meeting new people, and through that process I felt alone quite a bit. I remember sitting with a girl who seemed to be fine alone and actually said she preferred it. I could tell though there was a hidden desire to be included. We sat, we talked, and a smile formed on her face. Now she has an amazing group of friends. This is something that I have seen happen a lot. I thought we were helping individuals but really we have been able to invite a sense of community for each of them, which now I believe is more important.
Mentoring provides a space for connecting and seeing the absolute best in others. The students in turn start to see the best within themselves, and it’s one of the most beautiful things to witness. Mentoring has made me grow and accept myself more that I could ever imagine. I want to be the best version of my self because I know people are looking up to me. Everyone who is a part of GCM is taking home change in their lives, both the students and mentors. I have had a group of people show me what love and support can do for someone during some of the toughest moments of my life. If I can be a fraction of that for others, that would make me extremely happy! My heart is full of gratitude for the experiences and people I have gotten to meet on this journey!
