January 01, 2026
Celebrating National Mentoring Month
This January, we’re joining the nationwide celebration of National Mentoring Month for the very first time. And for a program built entirely around the power of long-term, caring relationships, this is genuinely a topic worth pausing for.
At Friends of the Children – Eastern Oregon, our paid, professional mentors walk alongside youth for 12+ years, no matter what. We’re proud to highlight two of them this month: Connor and Lindsey, who are already making a powerful difference in the lives of the children they serve.
To mark this occasion, we’re sharing two real stories that show what mentorship really looks like and the impact it’s already having.
Meet Cole. A kind, funny, and deeply thoughtful 6-year-old who feels everything intensely. The kind of kid who makes you notice him, not because he wants attention, but because he feels everything deeply. When Cole is anxious or unsure, his body moves before his words do. He gets restless, blurts out random noises, or says things he knows might get a laugh. It’s his way of releasing tension and checking the room, making sure he still belongs.
“With consistent support, patience, and genuine connection, he is learning that he doesn’t need to disrupt or perform to be seen, and that his voice matters even when it’s calm.” - Connor, Friend
As Cole and Connor play, explore, and build trust together, Cole is already showing signs of incredible growth. He’s learning to navigate his emotions in healthier ways and building stronger connections with himself, others, and his future.
While every child is unique, the thread that connects them is consistent: unconditional mentorship. Every week, mentors show up no matter what, helping each child grow at their own pace.
For Zara, that consistency has opened new doors, one experience at a time.
Zara does not like pictures. She almost never smiles for them. She’s guarded, serious, and very careful about how much of herself she shows the world.
But when Zara earned second place at her wrestling tournament, something changed.
She smiled. A real smile. For a picture!
Zara wore her medal everywhere. To school. To class. Even to the Christmas program. It stayed with her so long that her teacher eventually had to tell her to put it away. To Zara, that medal meant something, and she wanted to keep it close.
“Athletics are saving her in ways that are hard to measure on paper. They give her confidence when words fail. Pride when self-doubt creeps in.” - Lindsey, Friend
Her medal wasn’t about winning. It was proof. Proof that she can do hard things. Proof that she has something that belongs to her. Proof that her effort matters. And with her mentor by her side, Zara is learning to trust herself, and her joy is beginning to take up space.
Behind every moment of progress is a mentor who shows up on the hard days, the quiet days, and the days worth celebrating. We are so proud of Connor, Lindsey, and every member of our team who leads with compassion, consistency, and care.
We don’t ask kids to change who they are to succeed. We build support around who they already are.
This is what real mentorship looks like. And this is why we’re here.