For Kelsey, mentorship has always been personal.

Before joining Friends of the Children nearly three years ago, she worked in a very small, rural town in New Mexico, supporting students who sometimes traveled hours just to get to school. Many young people faced food insecurity, loss, and isolation, with few safe adults to turn to. What began as helping with homework and games quickly showed Kelsey the power of consistent support. “I had no idea how big an impact even a few months of mentorship could have,” she shared. “It made me imagine what could be possible long-term.”

When Kelsey moved to Oregon and found Friends of the Children, the model immediately resonated. She had seen firsthand how trust and consistency can change a young person’s trajectory. “Having a safe person to go to matters,” she said. “I truly believe in giving back to the community you live in.”

Kelsey also knows the power of mentorship from her own life. At 16, she earned a scholarship to go backpacking in the Rocky Mountains—an experience that changed everything. A mentor helped open that door and continues to be part of her life today. “Doing hard things with someone who believed in me helped me believe in myself,” she reflected.

Today, Kelsey walks alongside youth through many chapters of their lives—celebrating wins that may look small from the outside but feel huge up close: a new pair of glasses that unlocks a love of learning, a child finding their first real friends, or navigating a major life transition with someone steady by their side. “Being there—consistently—is what matters most,” she said.

This National Mentoring Month, we’re grateful for professionals like Kelsey, whose patience, flexibility, and commitment remind us that mentorship isn’t about one moment—it’s about showing up, again and again, no matter what.