An Interview with Kyleigh:
Tell us a little about yourself: What are your strengths? Weaknesses? What are you hoping to accomplish in the future?
"I’ve always been very good at almost anything I put my mind to. But I fall short when I don’t ask for help and lose sight of my goals when I’m not able to do everything on my own. My greatest weakness would be keeping quiet. Keeping quiet about my needs and where I want to be. I wish to accomplish obtaining my GED, and getting a college education in a branch of the medical field. I haven’t quite figured out what branch but some times you just have to put your feelers out first."
What made you decide you wanted a mentor?
"I decided I wanted a mentor because really, my most trusted friend and partner, Pam Bress, told me it would be a good idea so I went with it. Being that I’ve had bad experiences in the past with DCF, I was hesitant but it ended up being way more helpful than I thought."
How long have you had your current mentor?
"I’ve had my current mentor for I think 6 months or so."
Is having a mentor what you expected? Why or why not?
"Having a mentor is more than what I was expecting. She never gives up on me. And I’ve never had that before. No matter what I can count on her to make sure I’m in good spirits."
Would you recommend the mentor program to a friend or peer?
"Absolutely. I have. I've given out many business cards in hopes that they’ll one day become part of our family."
Do you see RFLB as a good thing for other foster youth in transition?
"I see this as a LIFE CHANGING moment for foster youth. Being in foster care just knocks your hopes down so far, you dig yourself into holes that nobody is there to help dig you out of so at the time you really don’t even care. With Ready for Life, it’s a second chance, a saving grace. It gives you all the hope back that you lost in the system and motivates you to be a functioning member of society.
When I was in the system it seemed like my goals were out of reach, impossible if you will. Ready for life pulled the wool out from over my eyes and made me realize that my goals were sitting right in front of my face, not only that, but that they were going to help me get there too. I don’t know where I’d be without this amazing program."