More Than a Mentor: A Journey of Connection, Growth, and Joy More Than a Mentor: A Journey of Connection, Growth, and Joy 

Farrah Fiegener, Director of Marketing and Mentor Recruitment at NPFY, reflects on her mentorship experience in this heartfelt essay—sharing both the challenges and the joyful milestones that have shaped her journey and deepened her connection with her mentee. 

Phoenix, AZ April 21, 2025.– April is National Volunteer Month, and this week is National Volunteer Week—a time to pause, reflect, and honor those who give their time and hearts to lift others. As I look back on my own journey as a volunteer mentor, which began in September 2017, I am filled with deep gratitude for my courageous mentee, our unstoppable Level Up Program Coordinators, and all the incredible youth and mentors who make up our community. I am forever thankful for the opportunity to mentor and for the indelible impact that mentoring has had on my life. 

When I first started mentoring, I could not have imagined the many highs and lows I would walk through alongside my mentee. Like many young people facing adversity, my mentee has encountered obstacles that would test anyone’s resilience: heartbreak, family eviction, and the difficult reality of having a close family member impacted by the justice system. It has been my privilege to stand beside him through these turbulent moments, offering a listening ear and unwavering encouragement. Through it all, I’ve learned that sometimes, just showing up can make a world of difference. 

But mentorship isn’t only about weathering storms—it’s about celebrating growth, joy, and transformation. From our first outing at the Arizona Science Center to cooking holiday treats together every year, we’ve built traditions that bring light and laughter. During COVID, he would walk over to my house daily—we’d have lunch and take walks, finding connection in the quiet of uncertain times. Once, during a particularly stressful season, I surprised him with a visit to a smash room. We laughed, we broke things, and we released some serious steam (including mine on a poor old printer!). These shared moments, both simple and silly, have become the fabric of our relationship. 

Mentorship gives young people room to discover who they are and, what they might become.

In the four years we’ve been matched, we’ve created countless memories. When I got married, we had a small, private ceremony—and we invited just our parents and him. In my heart, he’s family. While the relationship begins with a mentor showing up for their mentee, there are times the mentee gets to show up for their mentor. That was one of those times, and my heart still melts thinking about it. 

With the support of dedicated mentors and our organization’s powerful programs, I’ve witnessed incredible outcomes. Ninety-five percent of youth in our program graduate from high school, defying odds that might have been stacked against them. Eighty percent go on to pursue post-secondary education—opening doors that once seemed closed. 

Mentorship gives young people room to discover who they are and what they might become. I’ve seen youth find their voice and courage, sometimes for the very first time—whether through creative outlets like music and poetry, or by finding a calling in construction, engineering, or cosmetology. Seeing these dreams take flight is the ultimate reward. 

To all the volunteers out there—thank you for your time, your compassion, and your belief in the potential of every young person. Mentoring may start as an act of service, but it will forever change your life, just as it has changed mine. 

Want to learn more? Join a Mentor Introduction session—held twice a week on Zoom. [Click here to RSVP and discover what mentoring is all about.]