At first glance, it was just a beautiful day on the course — sunshine, good swings, and great company. But our recent Mentoring Plus Annual Golf Outing was more than just a fundraiser. It was a reminder of why we show up, week after week, for the youth in our community.
This year, the outing wasn’t just about birdies and bogeys. It was about breaking cycles, building resilience, and making space for something deeper — connection.
Teaching More Than Life Skills — Teaching Life
At Mentoring Plus, we go beyond mentoring. Our shift to focus on mental health and emotional coping skills gives at-risk youth tools many have never been given — tools to handle anger, trauma, anxiety, and stress in real time. We talk about hard things. We normalize the conversations that many kids grow up told to bury.
Because for our teens, emotional wellness isn’t optional — it’s survival.
And when we say they’re learning how to care for themselves, it turns out… they’re also learning how to care for others.
A Reward Point, A Radical Choice
In our program, youth earn reward points for showing up, setting goals, and growing. These points can be redeemed for gift cards, or items they want. It’s a small way to build motivation, celebrate progress, and give them a sense of control.
But this month, one young man did something different.
Instead of using his hard-earned points for himself, he informed us he is going to save up his points and use them for his friend- a fellow youth fighting cancer. No cameras. No push. Just pure heart.
He didn’t hesitate. Because he’s been learning that strength doesn’t always look like silence — sometimes, it looks like showing up for someone else when you know what pain feels like.
More Than a Moment — A Movement
This is what your support helps make possible.
The golf outing raised essential funds, yes — but more than that, it raised awareness. It brought our community into the mission. Every swing, every sponsor, every smile helps us continue offering something too many young people go without: a safe place, a trusted adult, and the belief that healing is possible.
From the Course to the Core
To everyone who came out, donated, or simply believed in the work — thank you. You’re part of this story now. And if one young man can choose generosity over gain in the middle of his own struggle, imagine what’s possible when we all do the same.
Because this isn’t just about mentoring.
It’s about redefining what it means to be strong.
