In 2012, some were bracing for the apocalypse. But for five-year-old Ahmad, life was at its beginning steps with him learning to cross the busy street to school. His mother reminisces on the worry she carried alone, “I had to go to work really early, I couldn’t always be there to help him cross that street, and I was all he had...even though there was a crossing guard, I felt so nervous.” As a single mother, she found herself carrying the weight of all the worries surrounding her and Ahmad, “At that time, I had met someone who told me more about Friends-Seattle, and the rest was history.” That first school year, Ahmad was selected to join the Friends of the Children-Seattle program.

Ahmad was paired with Rich, a paid professional mentor who would walk alongside him from kindergarten through high school graduation. Ahmad’s mom reflects, “For [Ahmad] having someone he could talk to, especially as a young boy without a dad around, meant everything.”

Rich wasn’t there just to be a male figure in Ahmad’s life, he was there to be an additional support system to Ahmad’s family throughout his childhood, every single week—no matter what. This unique approach in providing each young person with a paid, long-term, consistent, caring mentor is the core mission at Friends-Seattle.

“His mentor held him accountable,” his mom says, “for one big wrestling match, we didn’t know Rich was coming. When we saw him show up, Ahmad’s face just lit up. Ahmad is such a goofy and spontaneous kid, and he can be himself around Rich. I know when they’re together, they’ll grab food, talk through things—like get grilled about attendance and homework—but I always know he’s safe and cared for.”

Throughout his time in the program, Ahmad explored many opportunities, including participating in our partnership with Construct Diversity, which introduces young people to careers in trades. It opened his eyes to the potential of building a life with his hands, and one day, building his own business.

“Ahmad saw job sites, met professionals, made connections,” his mom says, “now he just has to utilize it—and pursuing a trade is a great step forward.”

Ahmad is no stranger to hard work and self-discipline. When he joined his high school wrestling team, his mom remembers how committed he became. “Once he puts his mind to something, he will do it. He was so strict with himself about training. He’s got that drive.” That drive he carries is contagious. In his senior year of high school, Ahmad found himself encouraging his friends to show up to class and graduate alongside him this year. “He’s a great kid, and it’s been great seeing him grow up and become who he is today. He’s got drive, he can do whatever he sets his mind to,” stated his mentor, Rich.

Beyond the mentorship Ahmad received, his mom mentioned the key support she received from the program: time. “While Ahmad would go on an outing with Rich, I realized...I could take a nice bath. I could go grocery shopping. I now had time to take care of things.”

Now a high school graduate, Ahmad is setting his sights on trade school as the next step in reaching his dream of one day owning a business. His path hasn’t been easy—but with determination, family, and the full support system at Friends-Seattle, he’s stepping forward with confidence. His mom ends with, "This program meant everything. He’s confident now. He’s vocal. He’s ready.”

Ahmad's story illustrates the power mentorship has in impacting generational change. Make an investment in generational change for families across Greater Seattle today: