We have been with the Athletes for Kids program for 12 years. My daughter had 6 mentors and they have all made an extraordinary impact not only on our daughter's life but on our family as well. Life of a special needs individual is often isolated and lonely and it puts a lot of strain in the family, who is already overwhelmed caring for the needs and demands of the child. Having a mentor come to play with our daughter once a week is like a beam of hope that brings so much happiness to our home. AFK have not only brought mentors (who later became lifelong friends) to our family, but have also created a community and a network of support that families like ours desperately need. We are grateful to AFK for always thinking like us and always finding ways to make our lives happier and better.
Athletes For Kids was transformative for my son, Andrew. He was a mentor for a couple of years and found the program to be such an integral part of his growth as a teenager. The program helped him learn empathy, kindness and caring for others as well as some attributes that will help him in his work career moving forward (time management, working with authority (program directors) and collaborating with other mentors).
As my son's mentorship winds down in these final weeks before he heads off to his first year of college, I can't help but look back at his Athletes for Kids experience over the last three years and feel extreme gratitude for all of the lessons he has learned and experiences he has gained. While Owen has a 10-year-old sister with special needs, not until he began interacting with his buddy on a weekly basis did he start to really value the importance of inclusion. It's the little things we see - from pushing his sister's wheelchair at events, helping to feed her via her g-tube, proactively reaching out to his buddy's parents to reschedule their get togethers so he doesn't miss spending time with him, speaking up for kids at school that needed their voices amplified, and volunteering to help a peer with mobility challenges in his English class get to safety during fire drills throughout the school year - they are little, but they are conscious choices we have watched him make time and time again all thanks to the weekly commitment he has made to spend time with a young boy who needed a friend, a coach, an ally, and found that in our son. After seeing such amazing growth in Owen, I decided to become an AFK Board Member and now have the privilege of reading stories from mentee parents and from mentors whose lives are forever changed by these mentorships. Kids are so busy these days - dedicating time every week to mentor a child is no small feat! Yet the mentors that are willing to put that time in exit the program 2 and 3 years later saying it was the best choice they ever made, Owen included.
WE have been with AFK for the last 10 years and this organization has made a tremendous positive impact in our lives. AFK mentors have been spending time with my special needs daughter every weekend giving her the gift of true friendship by boosting her confidence, improving her social and communication skills and giving her a sense of belonging and acceptance.
Having an Athletes for Kids Mentor in my daughter's life has been such a gift. Having a mentor gives her a positive role model, a consistent friendship, and wonderful outings and get-togethers to look forward to. Her Mentor encourages her to be her authentic self, and shows her that she is amazing and can be accepted for exactly who she is. Athletes for Kids did such an incredible job matching my daughter with a mentor who not only shares her interests, but many of her personality traits also! From the day they met, it was like they'd known each other forever. The care and thought that goes in to the matching process is so incredible. Our family is so grateful our daughter has such a wonderful mentor and could not recommend this program enough.
Having a mentor has been great for my daughter. She has tried so many new things and really branched out in her interests. Our family apprecietes the consistant, kind presence of another supportive person.
AFK is an organization that i highly recommend to any parent looking for a peer mentor for their special needs kid. My kid has benefitted from 2 mentors in the program, and has made lifelong friends. Marni is amazing and very kind, even waiving the fee when i was financially strapped. I love the program so much that I have referred it to other parents and refer my own clients to the program in my professional life too!
My son is a 7th grader at the local middle school. For most of us, middle school is an uncomfortable time in life. That is certainly true for my son. There are good days and bad days. On the bad days he tends to call his big buddy to talk. Most of the time Evan makes time for them to shoot baskets that day or schedules an activity in the future. It always brightens my son's day and gives him something to look forward to.
My son is deaf, and uses cochlear implants to hear. Social situations have always been difficult to navigate, but his friendship with his buddy has taught him in a one-on-one, no pressure situation how to better get along with friends. We're grateful that Athletes For Kids provides outstanding mentors.
AFK is one of my favorite organizations. I have been able to participate in several of their events and I have witness first hand the impact both mentors and buddies have on one another. The cause is great and the events have always been very well organized.
We have been very fortunate to have found Athletes For Kids 3 years ago and our son has befriended two amazing young men. Davis and our son had an instant friendship. It was like they had been friends for years. We are thankful for Davis's patience, flexibility, and compassion in making a positive impact in our son's life. They both encourage each other to try new things and our son looks forward to their weekly visits. He is accepted unconditionally and feels special. Our son said, "Davis shared a Japanese commercial that sold Calbee chips & I went out and bought them as a surprise and we tried them together. That was a favorite memory. We both enjoy looking a Memes, playing Xbox and he has helped me in more ways than I can think of. " Having a mentor in our son's life has given him more confidence and it has pushed him to be more independent and experience new things. They have Nerf battles, built wooden models, attended Lego Brick Con, ran in a Kids Challenge Mud Race together, went to the Burke Museum, played fun board games, baked, decoded and sent messages to each other with an Enigma Machine II and play Xbox. It has been such a rewarding experience for our families, and we look forward to what other adventures they explore together. Thanks, Davis, and AFK! There needs to be more love, understanding and acceptance in the world like this."
I could sing the praises of Athletes for Kids all day long! It is such an amazing and well run organization. I am thrilled that my high school son is a mentor to a young boy with a disability. It is a win win relationship and has taught my son compassion, patience, kindness, responsibility, strong communication skills, and the power and beauty of acceptance. Jack and Leo have developed a beautiful friendship and even Covid hasn't stopped them from staying connected. They have played Battleship over Zoom and gone mini golfing wearing their masks and had many fun outings together. Jack has made a life-long friend in Leo.
The Executive Director, Marni and Mentorship Director, Nick are truly gifted in their roles. They are very passionate and committed. It is not a job to them--it's a calling. They keep the mentors engaged in the program and meet monthly with their peer mentors to share stories and talk about any challenges the youth mentors might be experiencing. While it's a big commitment to be a mentor, the mentors are learning life skills and, making our community better and stronger. The entire AFK Team and Board are all exceptional people and selflessly donate their time to further the mission of AFK.
I volunteer for AFK by assisting with their annual auction. I, too, am passionate about the program and hope youth mentoring can one day be made available to all high school student athletes, and kids with special needs and disabilities. One by one, we can all make the world a better place. AFK does just that!
AFK is a wonderful non profit providing support and friendship to kids with disabilities. Especially in this uncertain time, mentors provide some sense of stability as students navigate virtual learning. It's impressive how AFK has been able to flawlessly pivot to a virtual platform providing a safe environment for mentees.
Previous Stories
As a recent member of AFK board, I am completely humbled and blown away by the powerful mentor ship with AFK buddies! The athletes start as mentors and over the course of 2+ years become true friends to their buddies - and the impact goes both ways. Buddies help their athlete mentors become caring, open, kind and patient advocates, embracing and accepting a young persons differences. What a wonderful program to nurture young adults and positive impact for a lifetime! As a mother of a high school athlete I look forward to having my son participate!
I cannot say enough about the AFK Youth Mentoring program and how amazing it is! I have 2 sons (now both in college) that have been AFK mentors. To see how much this program has impacted them and the kids they have mentored has truly brought tears to my eyes. My sons have grown in their level of responsibility, patience, and empathy...but more importantly they have become friends with their buddies and developed relationships with these amazing kids that they would never have crossed paths with if it were not for the AFK program. The AFK Youth Mentoring program talks about how they "transform lives and communities" and they truly do!
Athletes for Kids is a very well run non-profit. They pair tons of high school athletes with children with special needs and work hard to ensure every mentorship is meaningful. Three years ago I was paired with my buddy Rohan, who is diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy. Because of our pairing, Rohan has developed many social skills that he otherwise may have never developed. Further more, both of us became friends in a very special way that has changed both of our lives for the better. Athletes for Kids gave me lots of support the whole way through, and did everything they could to make our mentorship as meaningful as possible.
I have been so inspired how this organization has remained relevant and resilient despite the current challenges. The way that the all participants in the organization have creatively been able to support and continue with the important youth mentoring programs and relationships is truly amazing. Not only are the programs surviving...they are thriving!
Athletes for Kids has been a large part of my life for the past 2.5 years. Serving on the board of directors as treasurer, has allowed me to see first-hand how the mission of the organization is lived out on a daily basis, and the impact it has on everyone involved. One example of the impact this organization has is from two years ago at the mentor/buddy cookie decorating event held during the Christmas holiday. Seeing the relationships that the mentors have developed with their buddies, each unique, has a lasting impression and makes me proud to be a part of such a positive organization.
This organization pairs high school athletes with children with disabilities to help support their growth and friendships. Why athletes? Studies show that kids who participate in sports are loyal and inclusive - exactly what kids with special needs seek in others. The relationships built between mentors and "buddies" last a lifetime and impact both kids lives.
Athletes for Kids is an amazing nonprofit. I have been involved with Athletes for Kids for 14 years, first as a buddy parent, then as a mentor parent, and now as a board member. My son's mentor had such a positive impact on both of my sons and they both chose to become mentors because of him. When my boys were mentors, they not only made a difference in a special child's life, they grew as well. As a board member, I love seeing the impact AFK has in the communities it serves. Its message of kindness and inclusion is so wonderful, I truly believe everyone who comes in contact with this organization leaves a better person.
I became acquainted with this nonprofit by signing my 10 year old autistic son up to become a Buddy. At the parent orientation, I was not only extremely moved by how passionate the staff were about the program, but how well organized the training and engagement requirements were for all involved. I found myself getting choked-up with how committed the staff, parents and high school youth were about improving the lives special needs children. At the end of the orientation, there was an announcement that AFK was looking for new Board Members, I was hooked! Not only am a committed Board Member, I am the newly elected Secretary. I am thrilled to be part of this amazing nonprofit and excited to see where we go from here!
Tayshia Farra
Peer-to-peer mentoring at its best! Our teenage son, who has Autism, was fortunate to be matched with an AFK mentor from 7th - 9th grade. These are challenging years for any teen--add Autism, ADHD, anxiety, sensory issues, a cross-country move and two new schools. Whew! I can't begin to articulate the difference this mentorship makes. Every Saturday, our son and his mentor talk, take walks, play Legos, stage Nerf battles, water balloon fights and light-sabre duels. More than sharing superhero stories, ice cream, memes and laughs--they share a special connection. Our son's mentor listens to him, cares about him and even attended freshman orientation with him! We look forward to weekly visits from a positive, patient young man committed to making a difference--not only in the lives of youth with special needs but also in his community. His presence alleviates the isolation that can accompany a diagnosis. His persistence and positivity make a difference in our son's life: He is both a mentor and friend who models acceptance, inclusion and kindness. If you think one person can't make a difference, think again, This is how we create change: one relationship at a time. AFK has found a way to dually deliver quality peer mentoring to youth in need while growing future leaders. This program is empowering and truly transformational. I commend Athletes for Kids Youth Mentoring on a job well done.
I've had the incredible fortune of maintaining involvement with Athletes for Kids for nearly a decade and am very appreciative of both the impact it has had upon the community I grew up in and my own commitment to philanthropic endeavors.
Afk is an amazing non-profit. So impressed with this program and what it has to offer for everyone involved- both mentors and mentees. My son is a mentor and has learned so much about kindness, inclusion and life because of this program. I highly recommend AFK- my son graduated this year but not only is he a mentor but he now has a very special friend for life!
Athletes for Kids is an amazing organization that matches high school athletes with children with special needs and disabilities in a unique mentoring relationship. My son, Mason has been mentoring his buddy, Rey for 3 years now. Though I know Rey would say he has learned a lot from his time talking and hanging out with Mason, I truly believe Mason has learned far more. You see, Rey has a form of autism that has left him unable to speak, so he uses his I-pad, and his painting to express himself. This requires great patience for both Rey and whoever he is communicating with. Mason has learned what patience, perseverance and overcoming adversity really mean not so much from his football and track experiences although they have contributed, but mostly from Rey who struggles everyday just to let people know what he is thinking and feeling and to get his basic needs met. Unlike some college applicants who load their college essays with their personal successes and accomplishments , Mason's college essay was all about the life lessons he learned from his AFK buddy, Rey. Mason has graduated from high school now and as a result from his commitments to AFK. He will be going off to college in September on a Track and Field scholarship, but he continues to hang out with Rey every Sunday afternoon and plans to see him on his visits home from school. This is a deep friendship that will stand the test of time because it's what friendship is all about, helping each other learn and grow. Thank you AFK!
There needs to be more nonprofit charities like Athletes for Kids. This wonderful organization betters the community in more ways than I can possibly explain. It provides youth mentors to kids with special needs. Each week, the youth mentor visits her/his "buddy" and they spend time together doing things that kids with special needs might otherwise not have the opportunity to enjoy. In addition to building confidence and a sense of self-worth to the kids with special needs, the organization helps high school mentors understand the value of their kindness, compassion and love. Athletes for Kids should be in every high school, yet it takes money and resources to make it happen. Our family are strong supporters of Athletes for Kids and we admire all of the wonderful things the organization brings to many communities.
At the age of five my son Cooper was diagnosed with PDD-NOS, depression and anxiety. One of the specialists referred us to Athletes for Kids and it has been one of the most amazing, positive experiences for our son. He has been matched up with his mentor for about nine months and thinks the world of him.
They see one another regularly depending on school/sports commitments between the two of them and our son always raves about how smart, fun and nice his mentor is. The bond and friendship and that my son has experienced through his mentor has been remarkable.
The athlete mentoring my son is a star athlete and all around great kid, however he is very humble, kind and patient with Cooper always makes him feel like his equal.
The Athletes for Kids organization is amazing in how they continually check in with me to make sure everything is going well. The volunteers running this are second to none and I am eternally grateful for everything they are doing. Lives are being changed and children are being helped one match up at a time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
At the age of 9, our son was diagnosed with ADHD and depression. I heard about AFK and immediately enrolled, hoping for a positive experience to change the direction our son was heading into. Within a short time, our boy was matched with a fine young man, a junior at EHS, who had an immediate, positive impact. The relationship between my son and his mentor is so special to all of us. Because my son and his mentor share a passion for their mutual sport, our child is motivated to play and improve his skills, and his mentor teaches him tricks and techniques that help him advance with his team. His confidence is high now, almost two years later, and his depression has lifted. He and his mentor have so much fun together and they both look forward to their weekly visits. We are so grateful to AFK for giving us the opportunity to have a wonderful mentor our son looks up to. This fine person has now graduated and is moving on to college, but he continues to be involved in our child's life and I believe they will be life-long friends. The tremendous impact he has had on our son is impossible to measure.
We know our son wouldn't be who he is today without the time, care and attention he received from his AFK athlete.
In 2006 our son was in 5th grade and was paired with a mentor who was entering his senior year at IHS. Over the course of the year the two built an amazing friendship. Our son's mentor was with our son each week during the school for 1-2 hours, and 4-5 hours weekly during holidays, breaks and summer vacation. Even after our mentor's high school graduation, he continued his relationship and weekly times with our son until the mentor went off to college.
What was quite surprising about this mentor was that he was very kind, humble, dedicated, committed and loyal in his mentoring approach, friendship with our son and participation with Athletes for Kids. And this young man also happened to be captain of the football team, state wrestler and honors student. He was very well liked by his classmates and teachers, and even local organizations like Rotary recognized him for his outstanding achievements. Yet he never drew attention to himself and wanted to showcase our son's interests and ways to build on their friendship.
Even after the mentor went to college, he and our son kept in touch via phone and email, and direct visits when the mentor came home to visit his own family. Our son even made trips to his mentor's college to see him play football or just spend time with him. The mentor has since graduated from college and now lives and works in Boston. Our son has been out to Boston to visit him, and whenever the mentor is in Seattle they get together for direct visits. They frequently talk via phone, email, texting and Facebook. The mentor is like a big brother to our son and they have a very strong relationship.
Our son is now a senior at IHS this year and is preparing a video for his Eagle Scout Project on the importance of mentoring and the AFK program. He wants others to know how important mentoring is, especially for kids with challenges, and use the video as his "Pay it Forward" opportunity. Our son has greatly benefited from this program and especially with his ongoing relationship with his mentor that started 7 years ago.
Thanks to all the AFK mentors, supports and staff! This is a remarkable program and we feel very lucky to have been recipients.
The Lawrence family (Issaquah, WA)
Six years ago, at the age of 11, my son was matched with his first Athlete For Kids mentor. The relationship that developed between him and the star quarterback of the football team was wonderful and it is one that continues today. Several weeks ago my son had the opportunity to attend his former mentor's college football game and have photos taken on the field at the end of the game. My son's second mentor through Athletes For Kids is another wonderful young man who has become like a part of the family. He is away at college this year but he traveled with us this summer and he and my son keep in touch by skype and text and we are looking forward to seeing him soon when he comes home for the holidays. The difference that Athletes for Kids and these two young men have made in the life of my son has been incredible. What a gift that he has these two people in his life.
My son is an AFK buddy, and we couldn't be more pleased with the relationship between our son and his AFK mentor. It has truly been life-changing for us. As a special needs child with autism, it is difficult for my son to make friends. As such, he doesn't get many invitations to have play dates with neighbor or school children. This is where an AFK mentor makes a world of difference. My son's mentor comes over once a week and plays with my son for at least an hour, doing whatever it is my son wants to do. Some of their outings have been to swimming, the park, and now that the cooler weather is here, there are a lot of weekends spent making movies using the various toys my son has. My son's self-esteem has increased dramatically since being matched with an AFK mentor. His confidence has grown in ways we as his parents simply cannot help him do. Having someone closer to his age whom he respects and enjoys spending time with has really broadened his horizons. And his mentor - there aren't enough good things I could say about him! He's here every week, despite all of his commitments with football and school, and he'll do pretty much anything for my son. He's such a great sport :) I'm absolutely thrilled that we have this opportunity available to us!
I have been extremely impressed with this organization since my son, who is a junior in HS, joined it a few months ago. This organization is very serious about their program and very well organized. They spend quite a bit of time finding well-rounded HS athletes and do an excellent job of matching them with a buddy. My son truly enjoys spending time w/ his buddy who has practically become another member of our family. Being a mentor brings a very different perspective to these young athletes and an unforgettable life experience for everyone involved.
My son is a volunteer/mentor with AFK. I am impressed with the organization and ideals. It is a great way for HS athletes to help kids and do what they enjoy. My son has attended his buddy's soccer games and helped to build confidence. It is rewarding to see my son find time in his busy week to go play with his "buddy". There are newsletters and trainings along with planned service projects for the mentors in the community. It is a fantastic organization for HS students to be involved in.
I have been a part of Athletes for Kids for three years now and the experiences that I have had with my buddy have gone beyond my expectations. I'm so thankful to be with a program that directly affects my own community, and seeing my buddy mature has been the most rewarding experience in my life. I can only hope that the friendship I have with my buddy will last beyond my high school years. I would recommend AFK to any parent with a son/daughter in need of a mentor, role model, or friend. In addition, I recommend this organization to any athlete who wants to have a positive influence on a child's life - it will be life changing for you as well!
An amazing organization that makes a difference in so many lives. My two daughters have benefited in so many ways from their time as mentors with Athletes for Kids. I know the kids and families they've mentored have found the experience to be valuable as well. We're very lucky to have this organization in our community providing an opportunity for kids of every ability to make friends and learn from each other.
My son is a volunteer/mentor in the program. He has been paired with a child who has Asperger syndrome, a form of autism. He visits with this child for a couple hours every week to help him with schoolwork or just hang out and have fun. My son is a senior in high school and as part of an essay on a college application he wrote this about his experience: "After five months of being his mentor, I now consider (the child) my good friend. He really looks up to me, and I never thought I would have such a big impact on him. His mother told me he really enjoys my visits and is very glad we got matched together. (The child) and I have really connected and this has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life." I thank Athletes for Kids for establishing this wonderful charity, and for enabling my son to make a difference in someone else's life.
This is such a great organization that really makes a difference. Mentors gain as much as their buddies do from the experience.
I love working for Athletes for Kids, it is a great organization that helps alot of kids that really need it. What else can you ask for!
My daughter was matched with a mentor from Athletes For Kids 3 years ago and continues in the program. Her mentor has helped her build confidence in her social skills that she now uses in building friendships with others. Her mentor is an important part of my daughter's journey to growing into an independent young woman. Their friendship is one of a kind!
I was asked to join the board for Athletes For Kids this year, this organization really changes the lives it touches. Not only the kids who they match through their mentor/mentee program but the families of the kids and the community in which these students are apart of are changed for the better.
My son joined AFK as a Mentor two years ago. It has been the most amazing experience and has created a relationship between my son and his child that will last a lifetime. AFK has taught my son so many lifelong lessions and given him confidence, responsibility and compassion. AFK is a wonderful organization!