From Sponsorship to Friendship: How One Interview Led to a Lifelong Connection

Michelle presented as a very shy girl who had intelligence way beyond her years. She spoke so softly that at her initial A Bridge For Kids interview, her interviewer could barely hear her. But once the conversation got into full gear, her maturity, ambition, self-direction, and drive became totally apparent. In the midst of the conversation, her barriers broke down, and she shared the fact that her dad was not in her life; and despite the fact that he walked out, she still loved him and was greatly hurt by his absence.

While a loving mom was present and involved in Michelle's life, her mom was not able to help the teen navigate academic demands or the college application process. It was quite apparent to the interviewer that this was a very special young lady who had an amazing future ahead of her if she could harness all of her talents and had the right person to support her through her high school journey and help guide her through the college application process.

The interviewer immediately chose to become Michelle’s sponsor, and the journey began. With great joy, a friendship began as the young lady continued her pursuit of excellence in school, local academic competitions, summer internships, and her hobby of dance. She shared her successes every step of the way, and her sponsor offered encouragement and support the entire way. Infrequent emails became much more frequent ones, and their communications evolved into lunches together and numerous texts discussing challenges, family, and accomplishments.

Today, as a thriving senior, this impressive A Bridge For Kids teen is busy writing college essays, completing a research paper on Alzheimer’s as part of an international summer program, and continuing to excel at school. Michelle’s relationship with her sponsor has steadily grown throughout the years, and the two are closer than ever. Her sponsor truly believes that her life has been uniquely enriched and changed by her relationship with this amazing student. This story is far from over, as senior year will offer the opportunity to share further successes and exciting times as college acceptances roll in, and senior activities will abound, culminating at graduation. It is this sponsor’s hope that their relationship will continue and that they will be in each other’s lives for many years to come.

This is the joy of sponsorship. A Bridge For Kids invites you to consider sponsoring and mentoring a teen and creating your own amazing journey with one of San Diego’s high-achieving, low-income teens. For more information on sponsorships, please contact us at mail@abridgeforkids.org.