“What inspired me to mentor was the overall need for positive non-parental role models for our youth. Mentors are the ‘life coaches for the adolescent.’ In addition, it takes little amounts of effort to be a mentor and it has such a significant impact to the mentees. As a youth with a stable home life, I can't remember how often I saw my mentor but I will never forget him. Knowing someone cares about you who isn't related to you or paid to do so makes all the difference in the world sometimes.” - Yusef Jamaludeen