Want to Volunteer Without Leaving Home? See why this mentor says volunteering at Apex is one of the most rewarding things she’s ever done

Meet Sovena – A Virtual Mentor 

Sovena has been part of Apex for Youth’s National Virtual Mentoring Program since the pilot phase in January 2023. She comes from a small town in Pennsauken, New Jersey, and has even recruited one-fifth of the mentees from her old high school. 

“Our kids come from a low-income community, and there aren’t a lot of opportunities for us. With everything I learned in college and through my corporate career, I wanted to pass that knowledge back to them. When the program started, I was extremely excited. It was a virtual program, which meant kids could join easily and explore more of the world just by showing up and engaging,” Sovena said. 

Apex for Youth’s National Virtual Mentoring Program supports high school students remotely nationwide through structured virtual mentorship, guiding them in personal development, self-exploration, and career/academic pathways. It is the perfect program for those who don’t live in NYC and still want to mentor someone for at least two years. 

(If you live in NYC, feel free to explore our in-person volunteer opportunities for different age groups here.)

Annie Tan, the National Virtual Mentoring Program Manager, shared just how vital Sovena’s role has been in shaping the program:

“She believed in our program so much that she recruited from her alma mater,” she said. “Since then, Sovena has run a marathon to raise money for Apex. She’s been so enthusiastic, kind, patient, and thoughtful with Monica, her mentee who graduated last year, and now with her second mentee, Kaitlyn. We are so lucky to have her as the biggest cheerleader of our virtual program.”

Making Mentorship Meaningful

Volunteering with Apex has offered Sovena something she hadn’t found in her job or social life. “It’s fulfilling on a whole other level. Every month, when I log in and see all the mentees and mentors show up, I just feel so proud to be part of it.”

She’s passionate about supporting Asian American youth, especially those from underserved communities. “There’s a lot of pressure on low-income Asian kids — to perform, to meet expectations, to live up to the ‘model minority’ myth. But not everyone has the guidance or support to figure things out. That’s where mentorship really matters.”

One of her proudest moments was helping a mentee in her small group explore alternatives to college. “He didn’t want to go the traditional route, and that’s okay. We discussed other options, such as joining the military. Mentorship helped him see that there’s more than one definition of success and that his dreams are valid, even if they don’t follow the usual script.”

A Mentor Who’s Still Learning, Too

It hasn’t always been easy. “Mentoring a whole new generation can be a challenge,” Sovena admits. “They’ve got their own slang, their own culture, and it’s easy to feel out of touch. But I try to keep up with what my mentee is into, whether it’s trends, music, or memes, just to connect.” That effort goes a long way, and as Sovena has found, it’s always worth it to build that bond.

She emphasizes that high school can feel intense for freshmen navigating academics, identity, and peer pressure. “Even if something seems small to us, it can feel huge to them. I’ve learned that the most important thing is to validate their feelings, rather than minimizing or dismissing them. You have to meet them where they are.”

Sovena says the experience has been just as much a journey for her as it has for her mentees. “Mentoring has taught me patience, how to support without steering too hard. It’s helped me become a better listener, especially with my own younger sister.”

Her sister, now a sophomore in high school, is also an Apex mentee in the National Virtual Mentoring Program. “She’s more confident, more social now. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful this kind of support can be, not just from me, but also from her mentors. It’s a full-circle moment.”

Advice for New Volunteers

When asked what advice she’d give to new volunteers, Sovena keeps it simple: “There’s no perfect way to be a mentor.”

“The best thing you can do is show up consistently and be present. Be open. Be human. You don’t have to have all the answers. And when in doubt? Ask for help. The Apex staff are so supportive, they’ll guide you through anything. They’ve been my mentors in this process, too.”

Reflecting on the journey, Sovena says that mentorship has shaped her just as much as it has shaped her mentees. “You think you’re there to teach and guide, but really, you’re growing too. It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.”e most rewarding things I’ve ever done.”