Abi & Marissa“I had no idea my head was so big!” says Franklin High School student, Abigail “Abi” Amaro, as she scans herself rendered in sidewalk chalk on playground asphalt. Nearby, the portrait’s artist, Abi’s mentee, eight year-old Marissa, giggles wildly. Chalk Abi’s head might be a bit bulbous and her fingers slightly round, but it’s clear that she was drawn with affection. For Abi, a leader in her school community (a member of the Franklin Latino Club who attends classes at PSU in addition to her regular
classes), the decision to mentor with Portland Impact Mentoring was necessary and natural (Abi’s sister, Franklin Leadership student Viridiana “Virdi” Amaro, was also a Portland Impact Mentor). From Abi's perspective, it was important for her as a successful Latino leader to give back to her community. “I think it’s important for Latino role models to mentor,” Abi said. “It’s important for Latinos to help break harmful stereotypes and give kids someone to look up to – someone reliable to depend on.” Abi’s mentee, Marissa, a vivacious and clever second grader, often expresses very grown-up sensibility and empathy. Her younger sister was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2004 and Marissa has seen the impact the illness has made on her family. “Marissa will talk about what it’s like visiting hospitals,” remarks Abi. “It’s important that she has someone to share her thoughts with.” Indeed, there are thousands of youth in Portland and all are in need of committed mentors like Abi and Virdi. The rewards for the children are great and the experience is profound for the mentors as well. If you'd like to know how you too can positively impact the life of a child in your community, click here to learn more about the Mentoring program.
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