You probably see children and teens in your neighborhood or favorite shopping plaza. When you see them, do you ever stop and think about what they will be like in 8 or 10 years? In the video above, I wanted to share with you the story of a young woman whom I met eight years ago. Her name is Porshia.
As you watch Porshia’s story, please know that I thank you for helping our Teach One to Lead One mentors reach students like her in the elementary, middle, and high schools across our country. Your financial gift today has everything to do with shaping what those students will be like in 10, 15, or more years from now.
Please join us financially today. We need money to reach more students in our nation’s schools because they are more at-risk now than ever before. With depression, suicide rates, and school shootings dramatically increasing among our students, we must act now.
Hopeful for what today’s students will be like in 10, 15, or more years,
Lori Maldonado
CEO and Founder
Porshia’s Story
I had the opportunity to be in Teach One to Lead One (T1L1) sessions when I was in middle school and later in high school. Those sessions became a strong support system for me.
I had some negative influences in my life when I was young. T1L1 mentors taught me how to walk away from those influences and build healthy habits for my life. The principles I learned in T1L1 helped me understand the difference between right and wrong and how to make the right decisions.
My 18th birthday marked a tough year in my life. That year, I lost my mother, my uncle, and my best friend. The grief I felt brought me down, and I felt like staying at home and away from people.
A year after graduating from high school, I had the opportunity to become a Teach One to Lead One mentor. Becoming a T1L1 mentor impacted my life significantly. It gave a renewed purpose, and I was able to focus on helping others rather than dealing only with my grief.
I have been a T1L1 mentor to students at my old high school, and kids who are on Juvenile Court probation. I have learned how to use my personal experiences along with the T1L1 curriculum to impact the lives of many young people.
Porshia Carter T1L1 Graduate and Mentor