Mentorship Spotlight: Alina & Donald
Written by Alina Sanchez
Backstory
I had the pleasure of meeting Donald many years ago while he was still in high school. He was one of the young people assigned to help provide community events for youth in our area. Our relationship was not typical of most mentor-mentee relationships at the organization. Most mentors were assigned their mentees at school campuses, but Donald and I developed our relationship naturally through how closely we worked together.
He quickly became what I lovingly called my baby bird. I had no idea where this journey would take us or what we would accomplish together. We succeeded and failed together, and every experience created opportunities for learning and growth. I hope I was able to teach him half as much as he taught me. I am forever grateful to have mentored such a kind, intelligent, and authentic young man. My baby bird has flown the nest, and I could not be more proud.
Donald and I felt really defeated. All the hard work we put in and hardly anyone came?
We decided to make the most of it!
We took these photos in the photobooth and had a great time listening to the DJ and eating all the snacks.
Mentee: Donald
What qualities in a mentor made you feel safe and heard?
Donald:
- Presence: Regardless of what event or task we were working on, Alina always made sure I was included in conversations so I never felt left out or missed important details. If there were meetings I was not part of, she would always catch me up. No matter how busy she was, Alina made time to make sure we were on the same page. While we rarely had official one-on-one meetings, she consistently checked in with me about my tasks and how I was doing personally. In the office we shared, she put up a poster where we could move a sticky note showing how we were feeling about our workload and mood. It was not required, but I always used it so she would know where my headspace was.
- Support and Belief: From the first time I went to the IYT headquarters to Alina’s last day there, she always made me feel that she believed in me and the work I could accomplish. As my first supervisor and mentor, she never made me feel unqualified or not enough. Even with small tasks, like organizing documents or cleaning out storage spaces, she made it clear that my work was noticed and appreciated. While other staff were also supportive, Alina was the most consistent person who was always in my corner.
- Growth Mindset: Early on, I mostly kept to myself and focused only on assigned tasks. Alina encouraged both professional and personal growth. She asked about my interests, how they connected to my future goals, and invited me to lunch with other staff. Even when I was afraid of change or comfortable where I was, she found ways to help me grow.
Was there a piece of advice or encouragement that stayed with you through a difficult moment?
Donald: The biggest piece of advice Alina gave me, and one that has stayed with me, was to never doubt myself and to remember that I am more than qualified for what is given to me. I used to overthink and doubt my ability to complete certain tasks or projects.
That advice became especially important when Alina transitioned out of IYT and handed over responsibility for our community PopUp events to me. I was extremely nervous and worried I could not organize events the way she did. Alina reassured me that I had worked closely with her and had already gained the skills needed for event planning. After that conversation, I organized my first PopUp event on my own. Alina attended and told me everything ran smoothly. Now, whenever I feel uncertain, I ground myself and remind myself that I can get things done.
What would you say to someone who is unsure about seeking out or accepting a mentor?
Donald: The beauty of having a mentor is that everything they do is for the benefit of your success. Having Alina as my mentor opened up opportunities for me both professionally and personally. Those experiences helped shape me into the person I am today. A mentor should not be seen as a teacher or tutor, but as someone who will always be on your side and want the best for you. With the right relationship, a mentor can even become a lifelong friend.
Mentor: Alina
How do you build trust with a mentee, especially in the early stages of the relationship?
Alina: Building trust starts with building a relationship. It is important to get to know who they are as a person and what they want out of life and the relationship. Showing up consistently matters. Young people can tell when you are genuinely invested in them.
My relationship with Donald started through community events. We spent a lot of time planning and executing those events, but we also spent time getting to know each other. I learned about his family, goals, and relationships. Building a strong foundation early helped create a relationship where he felt safe and seen.
Can you share a moment when you saw a mentee grow in confidence or self-advocacy?
Alina: Early on, I knew Donald was capable of much more than he realized. What started as a way to incorporate youth voice became something much bigger. I asked what he wanted to learn and gently pushed him out of his comfort zone. Over time, he took ownership of planning and problem-solving. By our last event together, he was leading a movie theater event for more than 150 people. I stepped back and watched him thrive, knowing what we built together would continue after I moved on.
What would you say to someone who is hesitant about becoming a mentor or worries they might not have the right experience to offer?
Alina: There is no guidebook for mentoring young people. Each relationship is different. Sometimes mentoring is simply showing up and listening. Other times it involves problem-solving and navigating barriers together. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, take the leap. Mentees do not need someone with all the answers. They need someone willing to walk alongside them, meet them where they are, and follow through.
Not every match will be perfect, and that is okay. What matters is caring and staying open. Some of the most meaningful mentorships, like mine with Donald, happen naturally and grow into lasting relationships.
