This week we’re lucky to have mentee Taranika sharing a personal story about how SLM programming can make a huge difference:
By Taranika (SLM mentee)
Hello my name is Taranika and I started with the Silver Lining Mentoring group in April 2019. At first I didn’t know what to think about Silver Lining Mentoring (SLM) or the Learn and Earn (L&E) program when I first started it, but I am glad I experienced and completed it. I am very grateful that I’ve participated in the Learn and Earn program at SLM for a couple of reasons, one of them being that each week I was educated about a topic that was vital to adulthood like: credit, housing, jobs, budgeting etc. Although it’s obvious that knowledge of these topics are essential, I was going through a really rough time with transitioning into adult hood and realizing how to become independent and responsible.
Being in L&E personally and honestly changed my outlook on life and I realized how much support I and many others received weekly while gaining new information. Another reason I enjoyed being in L&E was the never ending support from the mentees and mentors. Each week, knowing I was going to see all of my L&E peers was the best feeling to look forward to. I also gained an additional support when I was successfully matched with my mentor Katya. In the beginning of the matching process I was nervous because you don’t know who you’re going to get, but I was surprised at how well we matched. We did have mini barriers to get past which including ways of communication, certain boundaries and meeting in the middle after resolving these we became more open. Through time she has become a great support and a light in my life by always showing her commitment to me and reassuring me that she’s always going to be on my team. In all, I am very grateful for the Silver Lining Mentoring Program with all of their amazing staff and opportunities for the community and I hope it helps others like it has helped me.
