Recently, Angelica (mentor) and Ashanti (mentee) had their initial meetup. From the moment they met, it was clear they were a perfect match. Angelica was so sweet and brought over a gift basket for Ashanti that had a Stanley water bottle, a journal, and a handwritten card.

​As Angelica entered the home, Ashanti immediately got so excited, noticing they were both wearing Stitch accessories. With excitement, she exclaimed, 
​“Omg, twinsies!”—thrilled to see that Angelica shared her love for Stitch.
​This small but meaningful connection set the tone for the rest of their time together.

When it was time to head to the restaurant, Muniza (Program Coordinator) typically drives the mentee while the mentor meets them there. But this time was different because Ashanti was so eager to spend more time with Angelica that she insisted on riding with her instead. By the time they all arrived, the pair had already bonded over shared interests, and their plans together. Their conversations flowed so naturally, as if they had known each other for a long while!

One of the things Ashanti is most excited about is Angelica’s passion for weight training and fitness, a hobby she also loves. , they now have plans to work out together in the mornings so Ashanti could learn more from her mentor.

This was such a beautiful and heartwarming first meeting. We can’t wait to see how their relationship continues to grow!