Building self-esteem with support from a Friend
Child’s Name: Amber *
Age: 12
In Friends-KC since: 2004
Hobbies: Writing, dancing, singing, basketball
Aspires To Be: Actress, singer, or basketball player
Friend (Mentor): Alicia
Amber comes from an extremely poor family with a history of violence and neglect. Amber’s mother did not graduate from high school and does not see the value in education for her daughter. Her mother’s boyfriends have violent backgrounds, which makes Amber afraid to live with her mom, so Amber usually stays with her grandmother.
In her first year in the program, Amber missed 60% of first grade, so she had to repeat the grade. She was shy and withdrawn, quiet in class and had few friends. It appeared that Amber was destined to lead the same life as her mother.
Amber and her mentor, Alicia, worked together to change her perception of school. Every morning at 7:30am, Alicia was there to call Amber to practice waking up for school, and taught her how to eat a healthy breakfast. Alicia also taught her how to clean and take care of her school uniform, which was of great concern to Amber. With the help of community partners, Alicia provided Amber with a new backpack full of school supplies for the school year. Alicia also spent many hours communicating with Amber’s teacher, before the school year even began, to help foster a positive relationship between the two.
When the school year started, Amber had a completely fresh outlook on school. She was eager to attend and began to excel. Her academic experience has radically changed since then. For the last four years, Amber has been named Student of the Week, Student of the Month, and the Most Improved Academics! Just this year, she received a Math Masters Award, a school-wide recognition of students who maintain an A in mathematics and exhibit exemplary behavior.
Amber has transformed into an outgoing, self-assured, articulate young woman. She speaks up in class, has many friends, and is always ready to chat with Alicia. Amber has participated in cheerleading and her church choir. A rising athlete, she has competed in a national track meet and recently became one of only two 6th graders selected for varsity basketball. Last year, Amber went snowboarding for the first time with Friends of the Children. As always, she excelled right away, as she does with every other opportunity presented to her. Amber is truly a remarkable young woman.
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Learn more about our results and impacts or watch a video of our program in action.
*the name of the child has been changed to protect her identity.