Mentors Care at JJAEP

Midlothian’s take on Mentors Care

From the desk of the coordinator; A student’s success story:

Mentoring is in full swing, and I have enjoyed getting to watch our returning students reunite with their mentors from the previous year. A mentor and I were talking last week and reflecting on how far her mentee has come in the last 3 years. The student came into Mentors Care when she was a freshman struggling with home life, grades, financial hardships, self-esteem, and a lot of mental health issues. As the student became more comfortable with the program and mentor, she began to realize that she wasn’t alone and didn’t feel as isolated. Goals were being set each school year to continuously work on her self-worth, consistency with school, engage in an extra-curricular, and passing all her classes. As the last few years have gone by, slowly her self-confidence started improving, she began putting effort in showing up to school, and began passing classes. This student is now a Senior, involved in Health Science, working a part time job, and making straight A’s! I am beyond proud of how far this young lady has come and can’t wait to see what her future holds after she graduates in May!

From the desk of the coordinator: Madison

Madison was referred to the program her freshman year (2020) because of her grades (failing all classes), lack of motivation, home life, bad friend group and she struggled with anxiety and depression.

She is a senior in the CNA program and her goal is to work in the medical field. 

This pathway has kept her motivated and made her want to be at school and do well in her classes.  Being in Mentors Care has given her someone to talk to and hold her accountable with her grades. 

A student’s take on Mentors Care:

"Grit! This is the word that has wrung in my head from the first day I met with my mentor 3 years ago. Our conversations of what I wanted to do after high school have always been around health care and how I have wanted to follow in my Mom's footsteps of a medical path and wanting to help others. Last year, the discussion with my mentor and Mrs. Peach about applying for the CNA Practicum program came into view and I submitted my application. I was nervous as there are only a selected amount of spots and was excited to share that I had been accepted into the program in May 2023. I started my practicum in September and have loved every minute of it from doing my rotations at Methodist Midlothian, nursing homes, and other medical facilities. " 

- High School Student

“It has set goals for me and has held me accountable for my grades. Mentors care has guided me through high school. “

-High School Student

From a mentor:

"She has come such a long way and I am beyond proud of her and all she has accomplished. She is going to be such a blessing to the medical profession and the patients she serves".

- Jessica Ward

Mentors Care in Red Oak

“Mentors care is beneficial for ROHS as an extra layer of support for our at risk student population that need connections to campus. These are the students usually not involved with clubs, sports, etc. With this program they have a wonderful advisor always on campus willing to help and advocate. These students also benefit from a mentor outside of the school walls within our community to guide through situations they may not share with teachers, counselors, or administrators. Also the mentor builds a great relationship with these students who may not have a good healthy foundational relationship with any adult.”

-Jamie Millican

9th Grade Counselor 

“Mentor Cares provides students with basic necessities that need to be met before students can learn in a classroom. Mentors show students that their is a world outside of high school and that they can become successful adults.”

 -Ingersoll, Alicia

Tech Theatre Director

“It means I always have someone to check in and make sure I have something to works towards and have someone to help keep me on top of my grades.”

- Austin S

“It gives me someone to talk to like a friend. That helps me with classes and helps me understand things. gives me a time in my week where I feel relaxed. It gives me time to have a conversation with my mentor to talk and laugh. He helps me by getting on my lele and talking to me about things I enjoy and mixing into school life!” -

-High School Student

Mentors Care at Ferris High School

From the mentors:

"I like to give back to the community. As you see these kids grow and graduate and become productive members of society, it is nice to know that you were their to lend a hand and help them during some of the hardest years in your life, your teen years."

- Jason

“Being a mentor at Ferris HS is like being a part of a family. We all have one goal, and that is to pour into these kids. I love watching them reach their goals and be celebrated by a community of peers and other mentors who understand that all victories, big and small, are to be acknowledged and celebrated!”

-Candice

“I love helping, encouraging and motivating people.”

-Miguel

“I love helping, encouraging and motivating people.”

-Katie

“Ferris is the school that both my husband and I graduated from it feels good To be able to give back to a community that has been so good to us and watching the children go into the classroom with Mrs. Byars knowing that there is a place of refuge from the darkness that seems to cloud the hallways.”

-Cynthia

“I love being a mentor in Ferris because it gives me the opportunity to encourage, empower, and advocate for students who might not have that on their team otherwise. Watching the students grow through their adversities brings me the biggest joy!”

-Emily

“Being a mentor in Ferris has literally changed my life. Not just in the traditional way of being able to help someone else, but I have been helped in so many different ways. It has very much so changed the direction of my life for the better.”

-Joe

From the staff:

“Provides students with the guidance and support they need to succeed emotionally, personally, and academically.  It helps student navigate the challenges of adolescences and helps prepares them for the future.  It also creates a positive school environment for our students.”

-MR. CHRISTOPHER GUASTELLA, FERRIS HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

“This program is a place for support to students that feel they have little to no support outside of school. Mentors Care allows our kids to speak to adults that care about their success and want to see them strive in life. Sometimes all we need is to know that someone loves us and cares about us to make us feel like our life has meaning. This is what Mentors Care does for our kids.”

-COACH COLVIN, FERRIS HIGH SCHOOL

“Mentors care accounts for the kids who don’t get the extra love that every kid requires! Every High School needs Mentors Care! Powerful.”

-MENTOR, COACH MORGAN, FERRIS HIGH SCHOOL

“Mentors Care has given kids a safe place to land. Encouragement and a listening ear are commonplace in this program at FHS. Caring adults who have a calling to inspire, teach and motivate make themselves available to young people who desperately need a voice of reason, accountability and stability in their life. We are thankful for the lives impacted by this program.”

-Coach Greek, Athletic Director

“Being a mentor in Ferris really solidifies the Ferris is Family motto; we look out for each other, we help each other through struggles, and we support and celebrate each other’s successes.”

-SHANDRA SANDERS, JUNIOR HIGH ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Wylie High School Student Success Story

From the desk of Mr. Blakely

I have a sophomore student who officially joined the program this year but has been coming into my room since last year.

Here is her story. Her biological mom and dad were never married, and her biological dad has been in white collar prison since she was 6. She is very excited that her bio dad will get out of prison in 2025 and she wants to develop a relationship even though she described her bio dad as an angry drunk before he went to prison.

Her mom got married when she was 2 and she feels that she has a pretty good relationship with her step dad, but recently mom and step dad have been fighting a lot and mom has filed for divorce but bio dad refuses to sign the papers.

She joined Mentors Care because she has struggled with depression and anxiety, and she said coming into the room always makes her smile so she felt having a mentor could be a positive experience for her.

She is doing well in school and is always so positive. She started dating a student who is a senior this year and it has been a healthy experience for her. The boyfriend is also part of mentors Care.

 After high school she wants to go into the Navy and then college. She wants to be a graphic designer.

Mark Blakely

Wylie High School Coordinator

What mentors at Wylie ISD are saying

MENTORS

“I heard about mentors care program in one of my other volunteer groups and thought it sounded like a good opportunity to give back to our community, specifically our youth.  What I didn't realize is the difference it would make on me as much as my student.  This will be my 3rd year in the program and I'm invested in my students' wellbeing as well as their future. I can see the improvement in my student's communication skills with me, specifically able to identify problems and solutions and excitement about the future. This is a wonderful program to be a part of and I'm glad I joined.”

-Ashely Rios, Wylie High School Mentor

“I like connecting with my student. I love seeing the future in his eyes and letting him know his future is limitless. This is my second year mentoring and I plan on mentoring as long as the program will have me. My student is a legend because he's fearless. He sticks to his values, he'll try something new, and he's down to dress up in Buc-ee's beaver suit/onesie.”

-Chris McCrae, Wylie High School Mentor

“What I like most about being a mentor is the way that this program encourages a long-term, relationship-based approach to mentoring.  I’ve had two mentees, with one having graduated and the other entering his senior year. I’ve told him for the past two years that I’ll be there with him all the way to graduation if he’ll stick with the program, and I think that has been beneficial to our relationship. Seeing his growth has been so rewarding. He’s a “legend” to me because he’s stuck with it, and he’s making some better decisions for himself. He’s getting in trouble less, avoiding those situations where he might be tempted to get into a fight with another student or teacher and putting his head down and doing the work to graduate much more than he used to. “

-Gary Rhodes, Wylie High School Mentor

“I have been a mentor with Mentors Care for two plus years.  This is the start of my third year with my student.  During that time, I have seen him develop into a responsible, caring, hardworking person.  I enjoy working with Mentor's Care because it places importance on the "relationship" that can be developed.  They are doing epic work in the lives of students --- One student at a time.  In our world today it is easy to get lost in the crowd, to blend in, but with Mentor's Care I have been able to show my student and myself that legendary things are still possible.  We are each of great value and can cause change in our world for the better.  

It happens each time I meet with my student (my friend).  I truly believe that he has a great future ahead of him.  As an "old" man I am inspired by him, hopefully as much as he is inspired by me.  Strong relationships are the things legends are made of. “

-Greg Morris, Wylie High School Mentor

A Letter from the Counselor at Wylie ISD

The Mentors Care program has increased its impact at Wylie High School since we first adopted it in 2021. Not only do the students create great relationships with their mentors, but Mark Blakely has become a sounding board and shoulder angel to so many of our students. He has created a warm, welcoming, safe space for students to come in and  have lunch or a snack while visiting with Mark and their peers. Other students walk by, become curious about what’s going on inside this unconventional room. They ask questions, become interested, and some end up on the list for a mentor. 

Since the inception of the Mentors Care program, the number of students coming to the counseling office for anxiety, depression, friend drama, or boyfriend/girlfriend trouble has decreased significantly. Students are confiding in their mentors, their peers during lunch in Mark’s room, or to Mark. They are creating supportive relationships which will help with their mental health needs as well as their academic needs. 

Mentors bring students into the counseling office asking for transcripts to help with college or job applications. Mentors also come in with the students asking about grades, how they can improve them, and what they can do to support the student in getting grades up. 

At this point, I cannot imagine our school without the Mentors Care program. It has become a part of us. People see adults sitting with students working on homework or talking in the cafeteria or the library, and everyone just knows they’re the mentors and their students. Students come into my office asking about Mentors Care, and I receive phone calls and emails from parents asking how their child can become part of the program. Families know about the program and hear about its benefits. The good word about Mentors Care at Wylie High School has spread, and I don’t see that slowing down any time soon. 

Valerie Johnston

Wylie High School Counselor

Wylie High School Staff

“Mentors Care has been so special to Abilene Wylie High School. It has given the students a safe place to express their true feelings and create relationships that will last a lifetime. Mr. Blakely does a great job expressing how much he loves, admires, and cherishes each student who walks through his door. From the outside looking in it brings my heart pure joy to see Mentors Care provide a supportive family for our students. I enjoy seeing the kids' excitement on the days of their mentor meetings. It’s clear that the bond between the student and the mentor is something that will last forever. I will forever recommend Mentors Care to anyone looking for a program that impacts the youth in a meaningful way and fosters relationships that will empower the students to believe in themselves.”

-Mr. De’Andre Brown, Wylie High School Assistant Principal & Football Coach

“Students in Mentors care have a safe haven to work through the stress and anxiety of school. The learn coping skills and gain confidence that they can succeed.”

-Mr. Bill Young, Wylie High School Teacher