In 2019, one of our Mentor Coaches began walking alongside a mentor and mentee who had been matched through Allies. Years later, the three had the joy of spending an evening together again.

They started by visiting the mentee’s beautiful new apartment and bringing her a housewarming gift. Then they headed to dinner, where the conversation continued for hours. Before they knew it, it was time to head home.

That is one of the gifts of a relationship with history. Even when time passes between visits, the conversation picks right back up, as if no time has passed at all. They talked about family, work, volunteering, and how much Allies’ LinkUP! gatherings have grown over the years. There was plenty of laughter, life updates, and time to celebrate how far everyone had come.

They also talked about RISE, a new Allies program launching in 2027. RISE will pair Alumni Mentees with RISE Coaches who will support them as they work toward personal goals and strengthen their independent living skills.

She was so excited about the new program! Having the opportunity to work toward her goals with the support of a RISE Coach, while also being compensated for her time and participation, felt like a meaningful full-circle moment. Her excitement reflected how far she had come and the kind of lasting empowerment RISE is designed to create.

Through RISE, we do not want to simply tell our Alumni that they are capable of building the lives they envision. We want to invest in them, encourage them, and continue walking beside them as they grow.

The evening also brought another sweet full-circle moment. This mentee participated in Allies’ Job Readiness Training as a teenager. Today, she is living independently and continuing to show the strong work ethic she began building through that program. Her mentor has had the privilege of being there for so much of her journey.

That is the beautiful thing about long-term mentorship. It is not about always having the perfect words or knowing exactly what someone needs. Sometimes it is simply about showing up, building trust, staying connected, and having the privilege of watching someone grow.

This evening was not a program meeting or a required check-in. It was three women sitting around a table, laughing, catching up, celebrating growth, and talking about what comes next.

What began as a mentor and mentee match has grown into something that feels much more like friendship, family, and cheering one another on through every season of life.