Power of Mentoring: Being Part of Journey in Someone’s Life

Rebecca Kern felt called to mentoring because she wanted to give back. Little did she know that she would be getting so much more in return. 

Ms. Kern, a business consultant who lives in Grandview, is part of the Friendship Mentor Program at Franklin County Children Services, which currently has 229 mentor volunteers and is actively recruiting more caring, committed adults to enrich the hearts and minds of youth involved in the child welfare system.

In celebration of National Mentoring Month this January, we interviewed Ms. Kern about why she volunteers as a mentor.

After nearly five years of being friends with her mentee Janelle, who’s almost 13, Ms. Kern simply can’t imagine not being in her unofficial little sister’s life. 

“People go into this selfishly, thinking that they’re going to make a difference, but it’s the other way around,” she says. “I’ve learned a lot more from her than she’s learned from me.” 

The two immediately hit it off when they first met in 2019. “Janelle is one of the funniest people I know.” 

“My face usually hurts after I’m done with her because we laugh so much.” She also appreciates Janelle’s kindhearted spirit. Generous and selfless, this sweet seventh grader is almost always thinking of others, according to her mentor.

When they spend time together, which is usually every other weekend, Rebecca and Janelle’s favorite thing to do is cook and bake. “We’re both foodies,” she says, adding that Janelle is an adventurous eater and always game to try something new. 

The pair’s current culinary passion is Chinese hot pot, which is “a special treat for us.”

Ms. Kern loves being with Janelle, especially since she knows how much the pre-teen appreciates the special one-on-one time. For Janelle, being with a mentor who is solely focused on her and “takes all her jokes” is truly meaningful, she laughs.

Ms. Kern has savored the opportunity to see Janelle grow throughout the years and experience new milestones along with her, such as meeting her best friend from school and attending her first communion, along with Janelle’s family. 

“Being part of the journey in someone’s life where they’re constantly changing is super cool.”

National Mentoring Month

Is 2024 the year you finally become an FCCS mentor? The Friendship Mentor program is one of five mentoring programs at FCCS. 

Our Friendship, College-bound, Crisis Center, Simba, and Malaika mentoring programs are currently recruiting committed, compassionate mentors for agency-involved youth. 

Save the date for FCCS’s annual Make a Difference Night, slated for January 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at 855 W. Mound St. During the event, you can learn about all the ways to volunteer and mentor at FCCS and make a difference in a child’s life.

For more information, contact fccsvolunteers@fccs.us or call 614-275-2690.


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