Donate Now!

As the holiday season approaches, I invite you to join me in supporting Connections Mentor through volunteering or donating.

We support over 100 young people per year, but I would like to tell you about just one of those matches: Jayda and Sage (names changed for privacy). Jayda is an 11-year old girl from Manhattan. She loves to dance, play sports, try new things, and she excels in school. She wants to be either a music producer or a veterinarian when she grows up. Jayda’s father was incarcerated and her mother has always been the only adult she trusts. Jayda struggles with anger management and can be physical when she gets upset. During her interview, Jayda said, “I would like to have a mentor so I can talk to them when I’m sad or when I don’t know who to talk to.”

In February, we matched Jayda with a volunteer named Sage, who Jayda describes as, “the best mentor ever.” They both love trying new things, dogs, cooking, and being active. On one of their outings, Jayda and Sage tried ice skating, which was new for both of them. Jayda told us this experience was meaningful because it allowed them to support each other. “I was holding Sage’s hand and telling her, ‘come on, we’ve got this’ and I realized that it goes both ways even though I’m a kid.”

On a Saturday in early October, Jayda called Sage because she was feeling sad and disappointed that her father had canceled plans to visit with her. Sage suggested a spontaneous lunch date. They talked about Jayda’s new school and how much harder the academics are. They talked about her dad and the complicated emotions she feels around their relationship. Then they went shopping for hair accessories. After two hours together, Sage returned Jayda home in much better spirits.

This is just one of many matches we support at Connections, but it shows you the simple power of giving young people the experience of a trustworthy and reliable adult who chooses to be in their life. Right now, we have 36 kids just like Jayda who are waiting to be matched with mentors like Sage, but we cannot do it without financial support from generous people like you. I am asking you to please make a donation to Connections. Your contribution supports many things, including mentor recruitment, background checks, and the incredible team of staff who provide guidance and support to both our volunteers and our young people as they navigate a new relationship together.

I wish you and your loved ones all the best this holiday season.

With Gratitude,

Lia Taylor Harper
Executive Director