In high school, I hid my face under a head of unruly curls. In my oversized Dickies jeans, I navigated the world self-consciously, afraid to perpetrate my idiosyncrasies and being judged. I never told anyone of my love for Mexican rancheras and when someone said a word or phrase that reminded me of a song, I never sang it.

Ana Tenorio, an AmeriCorps VISTA In-School Assistant who works at 826LA’s satellite site in Manual Arts Senior High School, reflects on

Now, as a young woman, I walk tall, with a sense of pride, dignity, and self-respect. As an AmeriCorps VISTA In-school Assistant for 826LA’s satellite site at Manual Arts Senior High School, my work repeatedly presents me with the opportunity to empower young people.

Like most of us when we were in high school, the students find themselves at the threshold of childhood and adulthood: negotiating their personal values and the demands and expectations of the world. However, unlike me at their age, the kids I’ve encountered are young people whose struggles have infused them with inner strength, love, and hope.

During a head start personal statement project for 11th-graders, I met Eliza, a poet, creative writer, voracious reader, and Otep Shamaya fan. Eliza walked up to me, humble and dignified. She shared her story, a story that might have shattered the spirit of any human being. During her narration, Eliza never expressed hatred or disillusion. Instead, Eliza spoke of love and hope. In our conversations, she reminded me that our reactions to our struggles forge our identity. Rather than submerging in devastation and helplessness, she found shelter in books, soothing words in music, and cathartic relief in poetry writing. The arts gave her the strength to rise.

As adults, our experiences give us the potential to guide, to advise, to lead. However, Eliza reminded me not to underestimate the wisdom of the child. Although I had become her mentor, Eliza inadvertently became my mentor, too.

January is National Mentoring Month, but you have a chance to make an impact on a student all year long. There’s no better way than to volunteer with us at 826LA. Click here to learn how you can be a part of a team that inspires.