Next Level Connections
Over the past 11 years, we’ve developed an algorithm for matching mentees with their mentors “the RA way.” Besides taking into account gender, hobbies, and mentor skills, our matching process also prioritizes pairing students with mentors who share lived experience, languages, and cultures. The end result of this intentional process means more impactful and lasting mentoring relationships that center students, their identities, and their futures.
Bonding Over Shared Experiences
Steph first learned about Rainier Athletes through an event with her corporate affinity group, Latinos@Amazon. “I was really captivated by the stories told by the Rainier Athletes staff and the origin of RA. I really liked that the organization was started at Lake Hills Elementary because I actually went to school there.”
Steph and her mentee share a particular experience within their culture: “We’re the only daughters in our families. We’ve bonded over questions like, how do we thrive in this world dominated by our brothers? How do I form my own identity as a Latina woman in a male-dominated household? How do I talk to my dad about this problem I’m having?”
Steph’s language skills have come in handy while extending her relationship to her mentee’s family. “If I didn’t speak Spanish and wasn’t a part of the same culture, my connection with her dad wouldn’t be as strong,” Steph shared. “We’ve talked about the similarities of our culture and that’s really helped because he knows he can call me without dealing with a language barrier.”
Steph is quick to acknowledge that mentoring is a two-way street and its impact on her own life. Steph told us, “My mentee is very good at math, I’m not. I’m very good at public speaking, she prefers not to. She’s played a critical role helping me become a better aunt. We joke that I’m helping her learn to become an adult, and she’s helping me learn how to be a kid again.”
Unlocking Trust Through Shared Language
Brenda is a lifelong volunteer and began her mentoring journey after previous experience teaching English and citizenship classes. This experience plus being fluent in Spanish made her uniquely qualified to support her mentee, whose family arrived in the United States from Guatemala shortly before joining the RA community.
“Initially, our conversations were predominantly in Spanish, but recently we've started using Spanglish more often as she gains confidence in her English. Sharing a common language has brought us closer and helped her feel more comfortable opening up,” Brenda reflected. “We bonded over music, similarities in our cultures, and family values. Food holds significant cultural importance for both of us, so we often chat about our favorite traditional dishes. My mentee especially enjoys lomo saltado, while my personal favorite is pupusas.”
Establishing common ground and a comfortable method for communication set the stage for deeper conversations between Brenda and her mentee: “During one of our check-ins, me mentee opened up about her journey from Guatemala to the United States. Her story deeply resonated with me because my family also experienced a similar situation. While I didn't personally make the challenging journey from Central America to the United States, my family did. Through my mentee’s story, I’ve discovered unexpected lessons in resilience and the strength of familial bonds. I hope she realizes how brave, resilient, and extraordinary she is.”
Are you or someone you know interested in leveling up to make a positive impact in the life of an RA student?
You don’t have to speak Spanish or throw a perfect spiral. Anyone who is willing to learn what it takes to center the student can become a great mentor. RA students are eager to connect about all of their interests - they are artists, activists, engineers, and up-and-coming philosophers.