10/29/2026
Sometimes, all it takes is a willingness to show up.
Over the summer, a Purdue student who was new to the area reached out to COACH Kids looking for ways to get involved in his community. He drove past our office every day and decided to stop wondering what we were all about and find out!
Fast-forward to the start of the fall semester. When we talked about mentoring, he shared his incredibly busy class schedule. At first glance, there didn't seem to be room for mentoring. But he wasn't ready to give up. He kept looking for a way to make it work.
As it turned out, he had a Wednesday morning class that wasn't mandatory, and we had a student at Suncrest whose schedule lined up perfectly. Just like that, we had a match!
Last Wednesday, I met with our new mentor for his check-in and introductions. Within a minute of meeting his mentee, the two were off and connecting. I managed to capture this sweet, candid moment, and it was a perfect reminder of why we do what we do.
When I asked if I could share his story, he responded:
“This is a great message to share with others! I think it is extremely important to prioritize helping those around you, even when life gets busy.” 🥹
And there it is. The heart of mentorship. You don't have to have a perfect schedule, endless free time, or all the answers. You just have to be willing to make room for someone who could use a little extra encouragement, connection, and support.
Where there's a will, there's a way. And sometimes, making room in your schedule can make a world of difference in a young person's life.
This is what It Takes a Village looks like.
