East Texas student shares how being part of the Aspire Mentoring Program has impacted her life

LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – For nearly 30 years, the Aspire Mentoring Program has provided mentors to hundreds of students.

One of those students is Ta’Lajah Griffin a sophomore at Pine Tree High School in Longview.

She’s had extra support and guidance from her mentor for nearly a year.

“If problems are going on at home your mentor can come through and help and they always be there it’s like having a second parent you know,” said Ta’Lajah Griffin a student in the program.

The Aspire Mentoring Program provides mentors to youth K-12 across different counties in East Texas.

Ta’Lajah’s mentor has guided her to keep her grades up and build self-confidence.

“Ms. Tequita means the world to me, she’s a second parent to me,” said Ta’lajah.

Tequita Dudley, has been a mentor for almost a decade in this program and has seen an increase in students in mentor demand and students in need of guidance.

“There is a big need right now for mentors in our community because people are needing help,” said Tequita Dudley a mentor at the Aspire Mentoring Program, “To help guide and lead these children because there’s so many negative things out there that children are leaning to.”

She says there’s one reason people are choosing not to mentor.

“People neglect to be a mentor because they think it takes time, it does not,” said Tequita.

Tequita also says just like students benefit from being mentored, becoming one also has its benefits.

“Your mentee can also mentor you.. my mentee makes me a better person because I want to be a better person for her,” said Tequita.

“Something I’ve always wanted to tell my mentor is that I love her, she’s one of my favorite people,” said Ta’Lajah.

“It’s a lifetime choice and they will be in your life forever,” said Tequita.

This month is National Mentoring Month and if you want to become a mentor or learn more about this program, you can click here.

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