A Growing (and sweaty) Community
by Tyler Lemmons
When I am at mentoring there is always something encouraging, inspiring, or deeply spiritual going on no matter where I look. Mentoring is about reminding us what is already true: that we are all inexplicably connected, that we all belong to God and to each other.
One thing that has stood out to me this year is how much Impact Mentoring has actually become a wonderful community. On any given Monday evening there is a group of kids and adults who are out on the basketball court playing an intense game while inside there is another large group of kids and adults crammed in a classroom all playing BINGO (prizes and all)! I realized recently how important this community is for the kids when I had the difficult task of telling one boy that he wouldn’t be coming to mentoring on Monday nights anymore. His mentor’s schedule had changed and needed to mentor on a different day. I pulled him away from the basketball game to tell him about it; he was sweaty and exhausted and when I told him he looked so defeated and sad. In that moment I gained perspective: yes, this is about mentoring relationships, but it also is about being part of a community of kids and adults who sweat together playing basketball and I was about to take that away from him.
Thankfully after some problem-solving we figured out a way for him to continue coming on Monday nights, but I am grateful for the new sensitivity and awareness I gained from that experience. What I have loved about watching mentoring grow over the years is all the unexpected gifts, and I definitely count this loving, vibrant community of adults and kids as one of them. In addition, we are currently seeking mentors for the fall semester! Make a difference and be a part of this vibrant community! Contact Tyler at .
