GIVING BACK by Rebecca Contreras Mentorship matters Building bridges to a brighter future Growing up in the border town of El Paso, Texas, I never dreamed I’d be where I am today – running my own thriving award-winning company, driving a career steeped in White House wisdom and entrepreneurial experience, surrounded by the beautiful family I raised with my husband of over 33 years. My childhood, sadly, was plagued with abuse, neglect, and bad decisions I made in my young teen years. I was easily ensnared in a cycle of dysfunction and limited options, so it was difficult to see a way out. I became a high school dropout and a teenage mother on welfare by age 17 – a fate that almost seemed inevitable. The world that I lived in felt stacked against me, with few opportunities and even fewer expectations for success. However, I beat the odds and found my path due in no small part to the guiding light of a strong faith and mentors who believed in me. My life took a pivotal turn when I met individuals who saw something in me that I hadn’t seen in myself. These mentors recognized my potential, even when I couldn’t, and they became the bridge to a brighter future. They offered guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support. Through their mentorship, I learned the value of persistence and the power of self-belief. I am proof that the power of mentorship can transform lives. Mentoring and investing in others matter. It’s a transformative relationship, offering connections and a sense of accountability, and empowering mentees to overcome challenges. It has the power to break down barriers and pave the way for personal and professional growth. By providing guidance, support, insight, and inspiration, mentors like mine allow their mentees to gain confidence, develop essential career skills, and achieve goals – ultimately unlocking the full potential within. Mentorship holds invaluable significance both within and outside the workplace, enriching lives on multiple fronts. In professional settings, mentors can guide mentees navigating the intricate terrain of their careers. They offer insights, foster skill development, and open doors to opportunities that might otherwise remain elusive. Beyond the workplace, mentorship can be a profound source of personal growth and empowerment, as mentors often serve as inspiring role models. These relationships extend into the realms of education, personal development, and even community engagement, reinforcing the idea that mentorship is a universal force for positive change, enriching not only our careers but our entire lives. Of course, mentors also benefit from this relationship. Mentoring provides mentors with a sense of fulfillment and purpose as they witness their mentees’ growth and success. It allows mentors to reinforce their own knowledge and skills through teaching and guiding others. Mentoring also fosters self-reflection, encouraging mentors to revisit their own career choices and personal values, potentially leading to newfound insights and directions. Moreover, the mentor-mentee dynamic often leads to valuable networking opportunities and the chance to form meaningful, long-lasting connections. In the end, mentoring is a two-way street, offering mentors not only the satisfaction of giving back but also the potential for personal and professional growth in return. Empowering the Next Generation: Girls of Legacy Understanding the impact that mentorship had in my life has made me determined to pay it forward. My journey has led me to create a nonprofit mentorship and scholarship program called the Girls of Legacy (rebeccacontreras.com/girlsoflegacy), through my own 501c3 LaunchPad. With this initiative I aim to provide young women from underprivileged backgrounds in Title 1 schools in Texas the same life-changing opportunities that I had. Furthermore, all funds raised for Girls of Legacy are matched by me and the company I own, AvantGarde, allowing those who contribute to the Girls of Legacy opportunities to double their impact. Girls of Legacy is more than just a program; it’s a lifeline to those who, like me, may not have had the easiest start in life. We offer mentorship, higher education Meeko Media / Shutterstock.com 64 enterprising Women
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