The program includes hands-on workshops, community-driven field trips, and cultural activities, all designed to spark curiosity, promote teamwork, and nurture the exploration of identity and heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finding a Community With Friends<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAidan has been volunteering for Brooklyn Elementary Explorers for two years. He first learned about the program from his friend George and became increasingly interested after hearing program managers Isabelle and Erica speak about their genuine passion for developing Elementary Explorers. \u201cI was really moved by the program’s emphasis on cultivating social-emotional learning and support for youth,\u201d he says. \u201cSo George and I joined together!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What keeps motivating him to come back is simple. \u201cGetting to connect with the youth, other volunteers, and staff, and the chance to contribute to our community,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"volunteer,](\"https:\/\/apexforyouth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/4082899f-59d9-4f23-a775-845be608a538-1300x976.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cI will remember you!\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAidan didn\u2019t have to look far for a moment that captured why his presence matters. At the end of the school year, his youths wrote him notes telling him they had a “good good time,” calling him an \u201cexample of calm and kind,\u201d and promising, \u201cI will remember you!!!\u201d \u201cI was very touched,\u201d Aidan says, \u201cand, feeling the same way towards them, I knew our time together had been really special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Working with fourth and fifth-graders has been a joy. They’re at an age where they can have meaningful conversations and are forming their own identities, yet are so whimsical and funny!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Mentorship Matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAidan sees great value in giving youth a third space beyond their everyday lives. \u201cI think it’s so important to give youth examples of positive, supportive relationships with adults and their peers, outside of their daily lives,\u201d he says. \u201cAlso, to give them a space to grow as people, try new things, and simply have fun!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He is also surprised by what they have taught him in return\u2013 to confidently embrace your unique self. \u201cI’m pleasantly surprised at the way my youth are so comfortable and confident being themselves–maybe it’s because of their age–and I’m inspired to be more like them in that way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Advice for Future Volunteers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAidan\u2019s advice to new volunteers centers around meekness and perspective. \u201cTry to come into Apex with humility and an open mind,\u201d he says. \u201cThe youth have a lot of other activities and people in their lives, and we only get to spend a small fraction of their weeks with them. So there’s a lot that we can’t change. But if we meet youth where they’re at and focus on fostering positive growth, even if that’s simply providing a safe and positive space for a few hours every Saturday, then we’ve done our job!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cI will remember you!\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAidan didn\u2019t have to look far for a moment that captured why his presence matters. At the end of the school year, his youths wrote him notes telling him they had a “good good time,” calling him an \u201cexample of calm and kind,\u201d and promising, \u201cI will remember you!!!\u201d \u201cI was very touched,\u201d Aidan says, \u201cand, feeling the same way towards them, I knew our time together had been really special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Working with fourth and fifth-graders has been a joy. They’re at an age where they can have meaningful conversations and are forming their own identities, yet are so whimsical and funny!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Mentorship Matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAidan sees great value in giving youth a third space beyond their everyday lives. \u201cI think it’s so important to give youth examples of positive, supportive relationships with adults and their peers, outside of their daily lives,\u201d he says. \u201cAlso, to give them a space to grow as people, try new things, and simply have fun!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He is also surprised by what they have taught him in return\u2013 to confidently embrace your unique self. \u201cI’m pleasantly surprised at the way my youth are so comfortable and confident being themselves–maybe it’s because of their age–and I’m inspired to be more like them in that way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Advice for Future Volunteers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAidan\u2019s advice to new volunteers centers around meekness and perspective. \u201cTry to come into Apex with humility and an open mind,\u201d he says. \u201cThe youth have a lot of other activities and people in their lives, and we only get to spend a small fraction of their weeks with them. So there’s a lot that we can’t change. But if we meet youth where they’re at and focus on fostering positive growth, even if that’s simply providing a safe and positive space for a few hours every Saturday, then we’ve done our job!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aidan sees great value in giving youth a third space beyond their everyday lives. \u201cI think it’s so important to give youth examples of positive, supportive relationships with adults and their peers, outside of their daily lives,\u201d he says. \u201cAlso, to give them a space to grow as people, try new things, and simply have fun!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He is also surprised by what they have taught him in return\u2013 to confidently embrace your unique self. \u201cI’m pleasantly surprised at the way my youth are so comfortable and confident being themselves–maybe it’s because of their age–and I’m inspired to be more like them in that way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n