TESTIMONIALS

From Mentees to Their Mentors

Dear Cintia,
I was getting in some trouble and not getting my homework done, and then you became my mentor. You made me feel special because you cared about how I was doing and acting. You talked to me about how to do better and helped me with my homework. Now I am getting better grades. Thank you for taking me places. We had a lot of fun.
Love, Wendy

Dear Donna:
I would like to thank you for all the support and friendship you've given me. I also want to thank you for wanting to spend time with me and for missing work. Meeting you helped me learn about life as an adult and what to expect in my future. I knew you cared because you always wanted to know what was going on in my life and took the time to get to know me and give me advice on problems I had. Thank you, Donna!
Alma

Dear Vanessa
I would like to thank you for always receiving me with open arms and a smile on your face...for being so interested in what I do, for always asking how I was and what's going on in my life, for being so open minded about what I have to say and supporting me in my opinions, and for being so nice and caring. For two years you've shown me a good time and always listened to me. Through this program I learned that it's ok to speak my mind. That people are interested and supportive in what I have to say…that by doing so you will go far and that the World Does Not Support Shyness.
Dulce

Dear Alan,
I would like to thank you for caring for me, for always being there for me and for making sure I was alright. Remember the day when that guy jumped in front of the car and you had to break really quickly and you asked me if I was alright. That made me feel like you cared about me. You really helped me through the problem I had in school. You were very concerned and your kind words helped me through the situation. You are like a second father to me in my life.
Adrian

Dear Shayla,
You were a guide who helped me and gave me good advice. You were there for me and always told me that I could do it. Thank you for believing in me and for being my friend. I really appreciate all the good advice you gave me, and for taking me to all the places we went to. You showed up to all the sessions, you called me and met my parents, and that meant a lot to me. You are a guide, a big sister, a friend, and an advisor. You taught me a lot and I thank you.
Love Always, Allisha

Dear Mac,
I would like to thank you for being such a nice mentor and for being someone I could look up to. You showed me you cared by spending time with me and taking me a lot of different places. It was great being with you. You helped me stay out of situations that wouldn't be good for me and I felt like I really got to know you. You were very good to me and I hope that we will always be in each others lives.
Thanks, Davon

 

Hey Darren,
Thank you for being there for me, and your great personality. I think we had the most fun of everyone. It is not possible to say how much it means to all of us mentees that someone like you would take your time to be with us, give us advice, and make us laugh.
Amith

 

Dear Gary,
I want to thank you for spending your valuable time with me. I am also grateful that you stayed in the program 2 years to be with me. You always had really good advice for me, but just that you showed up to the session let me know that you cared.
Alex

Dear Nancy,
I can't tell you how much it meant to me to have you in my life and for giving me advice like no one in my life ever did. I also want to thank you for listening to me…which is the one thing they don't do at my house.
Love always, Patty

Dear Vanessa,
Thank you for being a sweet and caring mentor. Thank you for being interested in what I do and for treating me like your friend and not just some teenager. I want you to know that I appreciate you being there all the time with an open heart. I appreciate you for making an effort to get to know me.
Love, Dulce

Dear Marc,
Thank you for giving me techniques on how to do better in school and for always being there when I needed you. I knew you cared for me when you promised to show up at my performance with the school band and you did. This program has helped me set goals and complete them. It's taught me how to treat people with respect.
Thank you, Jorge

Dear Terri
I want to thank you for your friendship and support. Thank you for being so involved in my life. You listened to me and always gave me great advice. In this program I gained confidence and learned that if I'm persistent I can actually reach my goals, even if they seem impossible. Thank you, Terri, for always encouraging me to be myself.
Cynthia

Dear Pauline
Thank you for always listening to me and giving me great advice on everything. You're a great friend to me and I'm really thankful to have someone like you around me that can turn my negatives into positives by saying something meaningful. You're such a great mentor. You even took time to get to learn about my culture…I'll always remember that. You always showed me you cared by sending me emails or calling just to say hi. You're a great mentor and even though we won't get to go to the offices every two weeks, I still want to keep in touch with you. Thanks for always being there for me when I needed you!
Gaby

 

Mentors Thoughts on the Program

WOW!! It is hard to put into words the impact that this has had upon me. Professionally, I take more ownership in my day-to-day duties and I feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction for a job well done. Personally, I hug my son a little bit tighter each night and I see the importance of being involved in his life. I value my husband even more for his love, abilities, and trust in me. I appreciate the hard work that my parents put into raising me. I am more grateful for everything in my life.
ILP Mentor

 

One of my favorite memories of working at HBO has been being involved in this Mentoring Program since its inception six years ago. I am passionate about the program and feel that it is one of the best things we do here. I am so grateful for the six mentees I have had and the friendships and relationships that were formed. Thank you for all the time, effort, love, compassion, thoughtfulness and care that you all pour into this program to make it so unique and special. Lives are changed in a positive way forever because of what you do.
Blessings, Gretchen

I had a great time! I wasn't sure if I was "cut-out" for mentoring because I'm the type that always wants to make everything better and there are just some things you can't make better. After my experience at the Ropes course I drove home all choked up thinking about how great all the kids are and how some of them came out of their shells. A truly rewarding experience! I was so inspired by Erica and Jennifer and how they conquered their fears of the high ropes. They were so proud of themselves too! I hope they get many more opportunities to feel proud of themselves. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful program.
Katie

Once again your love and passion for the kids and the mentor program has filled me up. I left today's mentor session with a sense of hope in this world rocked by the insanity of senseless violence, hatred, war and apathy. I feel so blessed that I get to be a part of your good work. Thank you. Thank you!
Peace!
Mark

Thank you for all your work behind the scenes to make this program possible and so very special. It is one of the things about working at HBO that means the most to me.
HBO Mentor

I loved the mentoring program. It was one of the best parts of working at Warner Bros.
Jill

I'm glad that at least part of my work is devoted to something meaningful beyond quarterly earnings and end of the year billing.
WSM Mentor

This is an absolutely first rate professionally and compassionately run program and it's been a real treat to be able to participate in such a positive and fun experience for these kids.
APCH Mentor

This is the best thing I do during the week. It makes me feel like a human and not a Hollywood agent.
Endeavor Mentor

I gained confidence in myself and my own ability to help other people, having such a great mentee also reminded me how to have a good outlook on life.
Natalie

This program reminds me of what is important in life and makes me more focused on the kindness in myself.
Candis

It's a gift to see the relationship between mentor and mentee grow stronger throughout the year and to know that I can make a difference in another person's life. Even when I feel pressed for time at work, I know my mentor sessions are priority. Those two hours were the best of my time that day because my mentee and I invested in a relationship that will produce lasting memories for both of us.
HBO Mentor