Lincoln has been part of Hope Collaborative’s mentoring program since middle school, walking alongside his mentor Adam through some of the most formative years of his life. Recently, I had the privilege of hearing Lincoln share how deeply that relationship impacted him. He spoke with heartfelt emotion about how Adam’s consistent presence met both emotional and spiritual needs during a critical time in his life.
One Sunday morning, Adam was surprised to see Lincoln walk into his church—unannounced but very intentional. Lincoln had been reflecting on the years of mentorship and decided he wanted to personally thank Adam for the investment he had made. Knowing where Adam worshipped, Lincoln showed up hoping to find him—and he did.
Listening to the two of them recount their journey together was deeply moving. It reminded me of the power and purpose behind the work our mentors do every day. Stories like Lincoln’s show that mentoring isn’t just a program—it’s a lifeline of connection, support, and hope.
As we celebrate a record 700+ students being mentored this year, we’re reminded that we’ve tapped into one of the greatest needs in our community: meaningful connection. We’re incredibly proud of Lincoln as he nears the end of high school and prepares for college. His story is a testament to what happens when caring adults show up consistently in the lives of young people.