Building Connection, One Match at a Time: Meet Three New Rochester Mentors

At Bolder Options, mentoring starts with something simple but powerful: a willingness to show up.

Meet three of our newest Rochester mentors and hear, in their own words, why they chose to get involved and what they’re experiencing so far.

Andrew & Brooks

For Andrew, mentoring is personal. As someone who benefited from mentorship growing up, he felt called to give that same support to someone else. Rather than coming in with expectations, Andrew has taken an open approach and was ready to grow alongside his mentee, Brooks. He looks forward to getting a bigger perspective on life. Already, he’s finding joy in their connection.

Andrew shares that he and Brooks have similar quirks, making it easy to laugh and be themselves together. 

“It's easy to joke around with Brooks, he's open to any adventure, and they hit the same pose accidentally in their photo.”

One standout moment so far has been attending a cooking class together, where Andrew got to see Brooks interact with other youth and mentors in a new setting.

Looking ahead, Andrew hopes to help Brooks build a strong sense of balance, encouraging a healthy work ethic while still embracing the joy of being a kid.

Kami & Charlotte

For Kami, becoming a mentor felt like the right opportunity at the right time. After discovering Bolder Options through her workplace, she immediately recognized it as something she had been looking for, a meaningful way to support youth in her community.

As she’s gotten to know Charlotte, Kami has realized that mentoring is a two-way street.

“She’s got as much to teach me as I do to teach her,” Kami shared.

So far, the two have enjoyed creative time together, including watercolor painting, and Kami is especially excited for upcoming experiences like trying horseback riding together.

Morgan & Clare

Morgan was searching for a volunteer opportunity in Rochester that felt both meaningful and relational and mentoring through Bolder Options seemed like a good fit. Beyond making a difference, she was also drawn to the chance to meet new people and try new things.

As a new mentor, Morgan is learning how to gently encourage her mentee, Clare, to step outside her comfort zone and open up to new experiences.

One thing they’re both looking forward to? Attending a University of Minnesota softball game this spring. With Clare considering playing softball next year, it’s the perfect opportunity to see the sport at a higher level and spark her interest.

More Than Mentoring

These stories are just the beginning.

Mentoring is about more than weekly activities. It’s about building relationships, strengthening community, and creating space for growth on both sides. It’s about getting out into the community, trying something new, and forming connections that matter.

When someone raises their hand to become a mentor, our staff walk alongside them every step of the way, from training to regular check-ins, and thoughtfully matching each volunteer with a young person based on shared interests or complementary personalities. It’s a process built with care because we know strong relationships don’t happen by accident.

While mentoring can feel uncertain at first, no one does it alone. Our team is there from day one, helping mentors and mentees build trust, navigate challenges, and celebrate growth. Each week, staff plan activities for matches to experience together, creating opportunities to explore new interests, build confidence, and connect with the community.

Mentors also gain access to unique opportunities, from free gym memberships at the Rochester Athletic Club in Rochester and the YMCA in the Twin Cities to tickets for sporting events and cultural experiences through Tickets for Kids. What mentors discover is that the greatest reward isn’t the activities. It’s the relationship.

If you’ve been looking for a way to give back, meet people, and make a real impact, mentoring might be exactly what you’ve been searching for.

Step away from your screen. Get out of your house. Help build the kind of community we all want to be part of, one relationship at a time.

BE BOLD. BE A MENTOR!