Mentor
It was a dark time in my life when Mr. Finney appeared like a guardian angel. I was lost, hopeless, and living in #fostercare, surrounded by chaos and uncertainty. But Mr. Finney saw something in me that no one else did. He saw potential, and he believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.
As we honor #fostercaremonth let us remember the importance of #mentorship and the positive impact it can have on the lives of those who need it most. Mr. Finney was my guardian angel, and his impact on my life will never be forgotten.
Our relationship began when he was my English teacher in 9th grade, and I was still living with my aunt. But when my school was shut down, we lost contact for about six months. It wasn’t until I was in the second half of my 10th grade year, feeling completely lost and alone, that Mr. Finney found me and let me know that he was still there for me.
At the time I couldn’t believe that someone like Mr. Finney thought I was worth his time. He had offered me something that no other adult had before: guidance. It was a lifeline that I desperately needed.
Mr. Finney was different from anyone I had ever met. He was humble, kind, and always willing to listen. He took me places that I never thought I was supposed to be, like his office and his boss’s anniversary party. He even took me to Penn State football games and his relatives’ homes for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was a completely different world than the one I was used to, but Mr. Finney made me feel like I belonged.
He also taught me life lessons that helped to transform me into the person I am today. He encouraged me to develop a vision for my future and taught me that I was the director of my own movie. He helped me to understand the importance of living by my word and being dependable, even when it was difficult.
But perhaps most importantly, Mr. Finney gave me a sense of value and purpose. He believed in me when no one else did, and it made me want to be the best version of myself. When I failed tenth grade, he pushed me to work harder and helped me to understand the consequences of my actions. And with his guidance, I was able to graduate from high school and even earn a spot at Penn State University’s main campus.
Mr. Finney’s impact on my life was immeasurable. He gave me the confidence, strength, and will to survive, and I am forever grateful to him for his unwavering support and belief in me.
