“When I first joined the program, I was an 8-year-old struggling with a lot. I’d been in therapy but needed someone who would stick with me. Kristen came in and helped me overcome behavioral issues. I feel a lot more confident in myself because of her.” – Aalisha, Little Sister.
In the Bay Area, young people’s mental health is significantly affected by intense academic pressure and an emphasis on early achievement. While professional clinical support is vital, children still face challenges in their daily lives between therapy sessions.
That’s exactly what young Aalisha dealt with as a shy, struggling kid in therapy. Her mother realized she needed an extra hand, someone who Aalisha could depend on to be there for her.
That support ended up being Kristen, a real estate agent working for Compass who wanted to get more deeply involved with her community. A 10-year journey that entailed fun times from Disney on Ice to getting lost in the parking lot at Levi’s stadium. They developed and built a real bond formed through consistency.
Kristen, while being a busy real estate agent working on weekends, proved to Aalisha she was a dependable adult to count on. Instead of shying away from a relationship, Kristen integrated Aalisha into her own schedule.
Both Kristen and Aalisha were shy as kids, and Kristen credits the experience with real estate with opening her up. Not only did Kristen enjoy the experience, but Aalisha was empowered to come out of her own comfort zone.
“The experience with Kristen helped me be more social with people. Being a host helped open up new paths for me.” -Aalisha, Little Sister.
Aalisha’s confidence grew, helping her improve her behavioral issues. She learned determination, dedication, and patience that inspired her to strive for more, eventually leading her to attend college.
“We’ve been with each other through her formative years, and in that time, I’ve really seen Lili blossom. Lili is very competent, expressive and articulate nowadays. I’ve seen her grow a lot in that way.” – Kristen, Big
With a sense of purpose and a newfound resilience, Aalisha finds herself pursuing Cell and Molecular Biology; she credits Kristen’s stable support for the easy college application process.
Aalsiha started as a shy 8-year-old who lacked self-confidence and turned into a blossoming young adult. Her match relationship with Kristen is a testament to the importance of the little moments, from fun outings to new experiences, in building self-esteem.
“Being in the program is an investment in your future. Having a mentor can help you get through the hard things in life.” – Aalisha, Little Sister.
Kaiser Permanente is our valued partner in a new initiative dedicated to fostering mental and emotional well-being in young people. Mentorship is backed by research as an essential strategy that promotes resilience and complements therapeutic care.
Aalisha and Kristen’s relationship showcases the value of mentoring relationships. Our partnership is all about providing consistent, informed support that allows young people to build healthy minds and brighter futures.
Interested in becoming that dependable adult? Sign up to volunteer today.
Looking to give your child some extra support? Enroll them in our program here.
Want to support our efforts? Donate to our program.