Insights

If You Give a Student a Mentor

What Happens When You Give a Student a Mentor?

Inspired by the beloved children’s book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, this story takes us on a journey of what can happen when a student has someone in their corner.

Written by Brook Ruhter, Program Coordinator of our Waverly Chapter, this heartfelt reflection captures the ripple effect of mentoring. One mentor can help a student feel seen, supported, and believed in. And from that belief, so many possibilities can grow: confidence, connection, new experiences, a sense of belonging, and the courage to try something new.

The impact of a mentoring relationship doesn’t always happen all at once. Sometimes, it starts with something as simple as showing up, listening, and reminding a student that someone believes in them.

When You Give a Student a Mentor

If you give a student a mentor,
they’ll have someone who believes in them.
When they know someone believes in them,
they’ll start believing in themselves.
When they believe in themselves,
they’ll be more willing to try something new.
When they try something new,
they might discover a talent they never knew they had.
When they discover a new talent,
they’ll gain confidence.
When they gain confidence,
they’ll be more likely to participate in class,
join a club, or make a new friend.
When they make new friends,
school starts to feel like a place where they belong.
When school feels like they belong,
they’ll look forward to coming each week to see their mentor.
And when they look forward to seeing their mentor,
they’ll be reminded that someone is always in their corner.
If you give a student a mentor, chances are, they will become a mentor one day too…

Related Insights

All Related Insights

Match Story: A Commitment That Goes the Distance

Deb was matched with Avery in February 2023 when Avery was an eighth grader at Chase County Schools. Three years later, the pair continues to meet consistently.

Read more

35 Years of Mentoring: Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Tom and Nancy Osborne

Over the past 35 years, more than 51,000 students have been served through the power of mentoring.

Read more