YWomen are empowering the #FaceoftheFuture!
Mentors and mentees fashion themselves in a variety of ways. Some are formal mentoring relationships, some are mother/daughter, some are professional colleagues, and the list goes on. They are considered a relationship, nonetheless, but one that offers wisdom and knowledge to be passed on from one person to the next. It’s how unmovable foundations and deep legacies are built.
To capture examples of these types of relationships, we reached out to people connected to the heart of YWCA’s mission in different ways. Use the arrows to read a #YWCAFaceoftheFuture story to learn what they have discovered through mentorship.
We embrace the future. We empower the future. We are the face of the future.
Anxiety over the unknown may have initially bonded us, but honest conversation, respect and compassion continues to strengthen our mentor/mentee relationship. I see in Cecilia the ability to work through her fears and adversity. By offering her some tools and best practices for school, job search and life issues, it is Cecilia that follows through. She has successfully completed three programs with YWCA Southeast Wisconsin: Work Experience, Dress for Success Racine and earned her HSED through the Adult Education program. Cecilia sees me as an older sister (even though I’m old enough to be her mom! ?), ready to step in with advice. I sometimes forget Cecilia’s true strength is asking questions. How else do we learn to move forward if we don’t ask questions about it?
The key to our positive mentor experience is sharing the ups and downs, while holding each other accountable. She’ll be a great mentor, too, one day. I am thankful to stand with Cecilia and learn about myself in the process.
Stay tuned! More stories are on the way.