Why Mentoring Matters: Brandon & Jayden's Story
January is National Mentoring Month, a time to recognize the lasting difference mentorship can make in the lives of youth. It’s a reminder that having a trusted adult, someone who listens, cares, and sticks with you over time, can shape a child’s future in powerful ways.
For Brandon and Jayden, that impact has been unfolding for nearly eight years through The Up Center’s Team Up Mentoring program. What began as a simple yes has grown into a relationship that both describe with the same word: family.
Saying Yes to Mentoring
For Brandon, the decision to become a mentor was rooted in gratitude. “I feel I have a duty to mentor,” he says. “I’ve had wonderful parents and many mentors who gave so much to me and helped make me who I am today. I’m incredibly grateful for that. The only way I know how to repay it is by paying it forward.”
That simple yes eventually led him to Jayden, and to a relationship that is nearing it’s decade mark.
A Connection That Lasts
Nearly eight years into their match, the bond between Brandon and Jayden is evident in the way they speak about each other. For Brandon, the connection comes from the depth of the relationship they’ve built. “The bonds you make are strong,” he shares. “Jayden is like family to me, and I don’t see that ever changing.”
Jayden feels that same closeness. When asked what his mentor means to him, his answer is immediate. “I see him as family.”
That feeling didn’t happen overnight. It grew naturally over years of spending time together, talking through everyday life, and building mutual understanding. That foundation has also created a strong sense of trust. “If I tell Jayden something, he knows I mean it,” Brandon explains. “He knows he can rely on me, whether things are going well or not.”
For Jayden, that dependability brings comfort and reassurance. “It means a lot to me that he’s always willing to be there whenever I need him,” he says.
Growing Together
Over time, the relationship has shaped both of them. Mentoring has deepened the way Brandon connects with and sees people. “I’ve learned that we’re all much more alike than we are different,” he reflects. “We come from different backgrounds, but we struggle with similar things. At the end of the day, we all want to feel valued, understood, and cared about.”
Jayden describes their relationship in simple but meaningful terms. “It’s stable. He’s like a big brother,” he says. When asked what makes their bond special, his answer speaks volumes: “He knows the real me.”
Why Mentoring Matters
For Brandon, mentoring is deeply personal. It’s his way of giving back for everything he’s received throughout his life. “I’ve been given so much,” he shares. “Mentoring gives me a chance to make a difference for someone else.”
For Jayden, the impact is felt in the everyday comfort of having someone he trusts. “It matters because it’s important to have a person you can share things with and get help from,” he explains.
Together, their story reflects what both research and real-life experience continue to show: when a young person has a caring adult investing in them over time, the impact can be lasting and life-shaping.
Be Part of a Story Like This
Brandon and Jayden’s nearly eight-year journey is a powerful example of what can grow when someone chooses to invest in a young person’s life.
Mentoring isn’t about being perfect or having special expertise. It’s about building a relationship, spending meaningful time together, and becoming someone a young person can count on as they grow.
Often, it’s the simplest moments that matter most. Jayden’s favorite memories are everyday ones—like hanging out and eating food. Those shared experiences, built slowly over time, are what created the trust, connection, and mutual respect that define their bond today.
If you’re ready to make a meaningful, lasting difference, consider becoming a mentor with Team Up. Your commitment could be the beginning of a story like Brandon and Jayden’s.
