Over the years I’ve had the privilege of mentoring many individuals. There is one young woman in particular, whom I’ve known for some time, who has been a joy to mentor over the last four years. It has been an honor to have the opportunity to guide such a beautiful spirit.
To help me grow as a mentor and improve my interactions with others, I ask my students to reflect on their experience working with me. They express what they’ve learned, what they liked and disliked, and how they plan to incorporate their experience into their everyday lives.
The feedback I receive is truly humbling and fills me with immense pride. The honest and thoughtful reflections from my students reaffirm the impact of this work and reinforce my commitment to helping others.
Veronika
One thing is for sure, being with Ms. Logan, I’ve learned a lot over the years, and I’ve been with her for a long time, from the 8th grade to now starting my senior year in high school. When I first started helping Ms. Logan it was at a retail shop and it’s definitely something you need to have dedication and hard work for because every day was different.
The basics of running a retail store were dressing mannequins , restocking different items from clothes to shoes, cleaning such as sweeping and trash, hospitality, and I even had some customer interactions such as finding desired items and giving out things such as hotdogs. Yet there was so much more done that Ms. Logan handled everything I did normally on the daily. Helping around in that retail store I learned to keep moving and always be working, it helped me strengthen my endurance. I also learned working as a community, and networking when they had an event, and all the shops were out, and people were having fun. It was an experience of many and an introduction to many people.
When I came back this year it was a little different than usual. Instead of working in a retail store I was more involved in the community. Such as when they hosted pantries I helped set up and gave out food. To fold bedding and help pack for the back-to-school events that were coming up. I would also hear how Ms. Logan would give out food to different people such as the homeless. I was unfortunately not able to participate in that, but it was inspiring to hear what they were doing just alone.
When it came time for the back-to-school events hospitality, patience, and adaptability were the main points that were learned, at least to me. I gave away candy to all the kids and people that showed up and seeing everyone’s faces was more than enough for me. It really showed how there are people who care for the community. Working for Ms. Logan has been hard, demanding, sometimes hot and all the above but it all taught me to be out of my comfort zone and there isn’t anything I would change about the experiences I’ve had.
I use every skill I’ve learned in my day to day life such as when Im at my job being apart of this program helped me progress in hospitality before Ms. Logan I was very nervous to even talk to people but after Ms. Logan I now have no problem doing it with it now being a every day aspect at my job to take orders. I also use my skills at school, and in general being able to build not only my skills but help the community it was an honor and I’m glad I was able to be a part of this experience amongst the amazing people that do this daily. Volunteering has been truly an experience, and I can’t wait to do it again.
