Charlotte is from Washington, D.C. and moved back to the city after she graduated from college. She currently lives in DuPont Circle and works for a technology company.
Why did you become a mentor?
I became a mentor because I wanted to give back to and feel closer to my community. I had several important mentors when I was in high school, particularly teachers, who helped me grow and find the confidence to push myself educationally. They helped me realize what I’m interested in and I’m very thankful for their guidance even today.
How long have you been mentoring with CPE?
I’ve been mentoring since January 2021 and I’m really excited to start another school year with my mentee, Rakaya.
How have you been able to sustain the relationship with your mentee during COVID-19?
- We have weekly FaceTimes to sustain our relationship during the pandemic. We catchup about school/work, family, friends, TV shows etc. We also text during the week about things that are going on with school. We’ve also met up a few times socially distant/outdoors to get ice cream and lunch.
- Doing the CPE activities together.
In what ways are you helping her get through this pandemic?
I try to be a resource for her to talk to about the problems she’s facing – either with school or outside of school. I try to give her advice on how to cope with the stress of the pandemic and take her mind off some of the challenges. We also talk a lot about how to prepare for the future – like what colleges she wants to apply for and what extracurriculars she should participate in.
What is one of your mentee’s dreams?
One of her dreams is to go to college in NYC.
How are you helping her achieve it?
We are looking at a list of schools in the area and making sure her GPA is good enough to get into them. I’m also helping her find activities outside of school to help with her resume.
How has CPE helped you in your mentoring relationship?
CPE has provided me with a lot of tools and advice throughout my mentorship. I feel really supported and like I can go to my CPE coordinator for advice on anything.
What advice would you give anyone considering mentoring?
It’s really rewarding, but you need to be prepared to commit the time to build a relationship with your mentee.