Volunteer Recognition

Our programs would not be successful without the tremendous dedication of our volunteers. Whether at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Night, being recognized as a Mentor of the Month, or getting a simple word of encouragement, we strive to acknowledge all the hard work our mentors put into making our program great. 

Mentor of the Month

Julia Zur- February 2019
Janna and Julia were matched in November 2017. Although Julia felt that they hit it off from the beginning, Janna joked that she didn’t think they’d be matched long after they first met. Their relationship has grown stronger over the past year as they’ve engaged in a variety of fun activities. Together they’ve explored Eastern Market, gone ice skating and bowling, made homemade pickles, and even attended the DC Pride Parade. One of the most special things they’ve done so far is attend Busboys and Poets’ open mic night where Janna performed her poetry. Julia was very impressed to see the raw talent Janna possessed for spoken work, and has been a proud supporter of her art ever since. Julia is currently working with Janna and her grandparents to make a plan for touring, applying and selecting a college once she graduates. As they've gotten closer, Janna has begun sharing more personal information with Julia. She even reaches out to Julia for support when she's upset. Much to Janna’s surprise, Julia has become an vital part of her life. They are looking forward to making many more memories together in the coming year!  

1. What’s your fondest memory from spending time with your mentee?
My fondest memory is probably when Janna FaceTimed me for the first time. I had just gotten back from a trip, and we hadn't been in touch for about 12 days. When she call, I asked Janna if everything was okay (prior to that point she had hardly ever reached out to me first). In a silly way, she said, "Yeah, I just had to check on my mentor!" We ended up talking for about 45 minutes and when I tried to wrap up the conversation, she just kept chatting away, even asking me questions like, "So what did you have for dinner tonight?" I think that was the point when I realized that she really valued our relationship. Even though our FaceTime conversation wasn't about anything elaborate, it felt like a really special milestone for us.

2. Which was your favorite Peer Group?
We have not yet made it to any Peer Groups since being matched. Logistically, it hasn’t worked out for us in the past, but hopefully 2019 is our year!

3. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since becoming your mentee’s mentor?
When we were first matched, I don't think Janna really believed that I was going to stay in her life, so it took some time to cross that hurdle and earn her trust. At times, I wasn't quite sure what the tone of our interactions would be like before I picked her up, and occasionally she would say some harsh things to me, but over time I think she's learned that I'm not going anywhere, so things have become infinitely better.

4. What is your current job/career and what is something you enjoy about your work?
I work in the addiction research field and I am about to start a new job at the National Institute on Drug Abuse in April. I find the topics I study to be really interesting and it is exciting to contribute to a better understanding of how to connect people to effective addiction treatment.

5. What are some of your hobbies/things you like to do in your free time? 
In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, exploring DC, biking, trying out new restaurants and coffee shops. I also volunteer. And I love chocolate in pretty much any form.  

Current Mentor of the Month

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Julia Zur- February 2019

Past Mentors of the Month

Volunteer Appreciation Night

Every January, BEST Kids hosts a mentor recognition event. Mentors are presented with awards and honored for their service in the program from the past year by receiving a BESTie Award. Take a look at the video to see the fun we had celebrating our mentors!