A Family Grows with Bolder Options

When Mandee first heard about Bolder Options nearly a decade ago through her trauma-informed preschool workplace, she had no idea how deeply it would shape her family’s life. As a single mother of five, she was always searching for ways to give her children one-on-one time, support, and positive influences.

 “As a single parent, as much as you want to give your kids one-on-one time, you’re not giving them very much,” Mandee said. “It was great to have one person who could be their person.”

Over the years, all five of Mandee’s children have participated in Bolder Options and each one found something unique through their mentor and through the program.

Gabe

As the oldest child, Gabe was the first to join Bolder Options and paved the way for his siblings. After completing his mentoring year, he dove into the Alumni Program. He was active in the Adventure Learning Program where he participated in hiking, camping, and even a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. He also took part in the “I Believe, I Achieve” program to explore his college and career interests.. His enthusiasm for leadership has continued to grow, and he’s eager to stay involved through Bolder Options’ developing leadership initiatives.

Jayden

After Jayden completed his mentoring year and later joining the Alumni Program, where he explored his interests through the “I Believe, I Achieve” college and career readiness initiative.

Christian

When Christian was asked about how a mentor impacted he has said:

"My self esteem increased by giving me new shoes and by someone showing up for ME weekly"

Christian’s Bolder Options experience took a powerful turn toward advocacy and leadership. After his mentoring year, he became a youth voice for the program. He testified at the Minnesota State Capitol in support of workforce development funding and traveling to Washington, D.C., with Kids for the Boundary Waters to speak with legislators about protecting Minnesota’s wilderness.

Noelle

Noelle, the most recent graduate of the program, continues to stay close to her mentor. They still meet a few times a year and remain an important part of each other’s lives. Inspired by her brothers’ involvement, she recently attended the Alumni Retreat and plans to participate in more Alumni Program opportunities. Her continued connection with her mentor and growing engagement in alumni activities reflect the long-term impact Bolder Options has had across her entire family.

Each of Mandee’s children received individual attention from their mentor, and each grew in their own way through Bolder Options programming. From one-on-one mentoring to the Alumni Program and Adventure Learning experiences, they were able to explore their interests, develop new skills, and build confidence.

“Bolder Options isn’t a cookie-cutter program,” Mandee said. “Each of them needed somebody different. Each of them got what they needed.”

Today, they continue to take BOLD steps toward their future, guided by the lessons, support, and opportunities they discovered through their time with Bolder Options.

Sanaiya’s Turn

Mandee’s youngest, Sanaiya, grew up watching her older siblings go through the program. She could hardly wait for her turn. “She was just waiting to turn 10. She’d say, ‘When do I get a mentor?’”

When the day finally came, Bolder Options matched Sanaiya with Joné, a newly retired woman with boundless energy and a heart for adventure. Joné, 69, lives on a ranch outside of Rochester, where she spends her days biking, caring for animals, and enjoying the outdoors.

When she first signed up to be a mentor, Joné thought she might be paired with a boy. “I work on a ranch and have animals and ride bike and I just thought a boy would maybe fit better,” she said. “But they had Sanaiya, so they called and asked if I’d take a girl. And I said, ‘Yep, I’ll take a girl.’ And she definitely can keep up with the boys!”

The two quickly discovered a special connection.. “It was so funny because we both found out we were Leos,” Joné said with a laugh. “Her birthday is a week before mine. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re a Leo too!’”

Learning from Each Other

From their first meeting, Joné and Sanaiya have been in sync. They go on long bike rides, spend time swimming, and attend Bolder Options events together.

“We do a lot,” Joné said. “I try to see her every week. Even after school when she’s tired, she still wants to go. She has so much energy. I can barely keep up with her!”

Their relationship feels effortless. “It’s just kind of like, cool, like I’ve known her for 100 years,” Joné said. “She gets in the car, and I ask how her day is, and she just goes on and on. I love that. I like hearing about her day.”

Joné appreciates how open and thoughtful Sanaiya is. “She’ll talk about anything and she’s very good about voicing her opinion. That’s a good trait to have,” Joné said.

As a 69-year-old mentor, Joné says her patience and life experience make the relationship even more meaningful. “I think I’m glad I’m a mentor at the age I am,” she said. “Nothing really ever bothers me that much. If something does, I can talk to her about it in a kind way. I think I can guide her better now than I could have when I was younger.”

The Power of Patience and Presence

Joné hopes that sharing her story encourages other older adults to consider mentoring. “Sometimes I feel like I’m too old, like I’m a grandma or something,” she said. “But then I think, how would I feel if I was 10 and got to hang out with my grandma? I wish I’d had that. So if people think they’re too old to mentor, they’re not.” She added, “Sanaiya is so cute. I’ll say, ‘Oh no, I’m old,’ and she’ll say, ‘No, you’re not!’” Their bond continues to grow, and Joné hopes it lasts a lifetime.

“The only thing I always hope for,” she said, “is that I hope she’ll be in my life for a while. You know, people come and go, but I hope Saniya stays in my life.”

A Mother’s Gratitude

From Mandee’s perspective, Sanaiya’s relationship with Joné has been transformative. “I wasn’t sure at first because Joné was older, but it doesn’t matter. Age has no limit. Sanaiya learned that from her,” she said. “Joné has taught her that you can be active, strong, and kind at any age.”

Mandee noticed the way Sanaiya plans their outings. “She used to only think about what she wanted to do. Now she asks, ‘Would Joné like that?’”

After nearly a decade with Bolder Options, Mandee says the program changed everything for her family. “When we first came into Bolder Options, we were a very different family,” she said. “We had gone through a lot of hardship. Bolder was the first program that didn’t care. They just embraced us how we came in.”

A Ripple Effect

Today, all five of Mandee’s children have benefitted from the care and consistency of Bolder Options mentors. Mandee herself even joined the staff for a time, giving back to the same organization that lifted her family up. “It was a stepping stone for me to gain my confidence back,” she said.

Her advice to parents thinking about signing up their child? “Go into it with an open mind,” she said. “Don’t plan it all out, but let it grow on its own.”

And to mentors, Mandee offers deep gratitude. “If we didn’t have Bolder Options when my boys were in middle school, I think there would have been a lot more negativity in their lives. Each of them got what they needed. So did I.”

Learn more about being a mentor with Bolder Options and changing a life!