Mentorship: Asia

“My mentor is like a godmother,” says Asia. And she doesn’t just mean the fairy kind: one who surprises her, year after year, with a birthday cake from her favorite bakery; one who welcomes her on a family trip to explore Florida; and one who helps her find that perfect Cinderella-esque outfit for a special occasion. While it’s true that Asia’s mentor has done all of those things, her real magic, says Asia, lies in her commitment.

“She’s helped my mother and me with counseling. She calls me from vacation. Her emotional support is the biggest piece for me.”

“She listens, she cares, and she never gives up”, says Asia, who recently graduated from a high school in Fells Point. “She’s been my mentor for about three years, and from day one, she’s been a tremendous part of my life. I can talk to her about any situation.”

Asia says she thinks her mentor is so committed because of the example set by the staff at My Sister’s Circle. They have shown her a kind of loyalty and dedication that she has not experienced otherwise in her life. And she still can’t believe how comprehensive that support continues to be.

“No matter how old I get, my mentor and Miss Heather, they don’t let go. They don’t go off and only focus on the younger girls,” she says. “They stick with you. It still surprises me.  There just aren’t any programs quite like this.”