This week in Mentor Circles, we asked our students two questions:
Who do you look up to, and why?
Five years from now, what type of person do you want to be?
Their answers gave us a glimpse into the people who have shaped their lives and the people they hope to become.
When we asked who they looked up to, we heard answers like mom, dad, uncle, grandma, friends, cousin, and even Rod Wave.
When we asked why, their answers included: “They help me with problems,” “They show up,” “They were always there for me,” “They are good to me,” and, of course, “They’re the GOAT.”
When we turned toward the future, students shared that they wanted to be kind, smart, humble, better, successful, and rich.
Beneath these simple answers is something important. Our students are paying attention to the people who show up for them. They remember who helps them through problems, who treats them well, and who makes them feel like they matter.
Relationships shape the way we see ourselves and what we believe is possible for our future.
Every student deserves adults in their life who encourage them, believe in them, and walk alongside them as they grow. Adults who don't just see where a student is today, but who can imagine who they might become tomorrow.
Sometimes, one consistent adult can make all the difference.
Not because that adult has all the answers or can fix every problem, but because their presence reminds a student they don't have to figure everything out alone.
They help students keep dreaming. They help them see beyond their current circumstances. They remind them that their story is still being written and that they have the ability to grow into someone they are proud to become.
At FOR Lakeland, we believe every student has the potential to grow. Our role is to create safe and stable relationships that help them discover that potential and take steps toward the person they want to be.
We may not know exactly where each student will be five years from now. But we know that who shows up for them today matters.
Because sometimes, believing in who a student can become starts with having someone who believes in them right now.
Be FOR Students
You can help us create spaces where students are seen, known, and supported by becoming a partner or investing in the work of FOR Lakeland.