Amachi Pittsburgh mentors and mentees participate in many activities together and each of these experiences creates memories that further enhance and strengthen the lives of the children and those they interact with in social, familial and academic settings.
Tirrell and Branden
Both Tirrell and his sister have Amachi Pittsburgh mentors. Tirrell’s mentor is Branden and the two have been together for almost two years.
Tirrell’s main interest is sports and he couldn’t have asked for a better suited mentor than Branden. Branden is a former University of Pittsburgh football player and he ran track and played basketball when he was in school. The two spend a lot of time participating in sports-related activities such as playing basketball and football or sports video games. Branden works to give Tirrell experiences outside of sports and the two have gone to cultural events such as the Three Rivers Arts Festival. Branden also coordinates activities that involve Tirrell’s friends.
Tirrell’s sister is incarcerated and he does not know his father, which has been a problem for him throughout his life. Branden himself had a number of mentors when he was growing up in Detroit, and understands the positive role they had in his life. This experience helps him to relate to Tirrell on a personal level and has made their relationship stronger.
Tirrell thoroughly enjoys his time with Branden. “He is a cool guy, like an older brother,” said Tirrell. “I like hanging out with him and my mom is a big fan of me having an Amachi mentor.”
Branden has seen a lot of progress in Tirrell since they first met. Tirrell now has a positive outlook on life and his behavioral problems have improved significantly. He also sees the positive impact mentors can have on children with incarcerated family members. “Mentoring is something anyone can do,” said Branden. “It doesn’t take a lot and the outcome is phenomenal. It means so much to the kids and Amachi Pittsburgh does a great job making this opportunity available.”
Jessi and Melissa
Jessi is 13 and has been matched with her mentor Melissa for about a year. Before they met, Jessi found that having an incarcerated parent was adding to the pressure of becoming a teenager. She was feeling depressed and was having problems relating to others. Jessi's grandmother knew about Amachi Pittsburgh and suggested that her daughter consider the mentor program for Jessi. She hoped it would help her granddaughter have a healthier outlook on life and better cope with daily struggles.
After going through Amachi Pittsburgh’s careful matching process, Melissa, a senior volleyball player at the University of Pittsburgh, was assigned as Jessi’s mentor. The two were matched based on a number of criteria, one being their similar interests—Melissa is majoring in communications at Pitt, and Jessi likes to write, aspiring to become a journalist.
The two have built a close relationship over the past year and get together each month to attend or participate in sporting events, shop, watch movies or just talk on the phone. A year into the program, Melissa has noticed a change in Jessi. “Jessi is a great girl and I’m so glad we were matched,” said Melissa. “We have a lot of fun together and I’m glad to be there to help her out when she needs me. I’m also very proud of how far she has come.”
The program has had a positive effect on Jessi. She really enjoys being part of the program and hopes to be a mentor herself one day. “Melissa is one of my best friends,” said Jessi. “She really helps me stay positive about things and I enjoy spending time with her.”
Jasmyn and Norine
Jasmyn, 12, is Jessi’s sister and she has been with her mentor, Norine, for more than a year. Jasmyn’s mother suggested she get an Amachi mentor after her sister, Jessi became active in the program. Jasmyn was in need of an adult role model to help her confront some of her fears and become more confident. Norine had previously worked with children in the juvenile justice system in New Mexico and wanted to continue her work with children who were somehow involved in the justice system. Amachi Pittsburgh was the perfect solution for both.
The two meet at least three times each month to talk, play games, go to museums, cook, ride bicycles and go swimming, something Jasmyn had never done before meeting her mentor. Norine also provides geography lessons, which Jasmyn finds to be “a lot of fun.”
Jasmyn sees Norine as a role model and is really an extension of Norine’s family. She sees how positive family life can be and has a new outlook on the role this can play in her life. Norine’s husband provides a positive outlook on interaction with male family members. “I really learn a lot from Miss Norine,” said Jasmyn. “She helps me to see things differently and she inspires me.” Jasmyn hopes to be an actress or graphic designer when she is older.
For Norine, the experience has been just as rewarding. “Jasmyn makes it so easy,” said Norine. “She is a great girl and has really grown up over the past year. I know she will achieve anything she sets out to do and I’m proud to know her.”