Mentoring Matters: Mentor Helps Inspire Florida Youth
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FORT LAUDERDALE— Makayla Jones and her good friend Whitney Fair begin their night in a used bookstore.
"This looks like a lot of chapter books, and I like chapter books because they're fun to read, so let's look," said 10-year-old Jones, picking up a few paperbacks.
"This looks kind of good," said Fair, holding up another book.
"It looks good, but I like this book, so I'm just going to keep looking," responded Jones.
The pair, matched as "Little" and "Big" by the Big Brother Big Sister mentoring organization, have been spending time together for the last six months.
At first sight, the two might not look like they have a lot in common, but if you ask them, they'll tell you they do.
"I'm a bit of an artistic person, and Makayla is as well, so we really connected with that," said Fair. "She likes stamping. She likes reading and the performing arts, so we have a lot of things in common. We also have a similar sense of humor, which is great. I can say something funny and she gets it. It's not like I have to go back and explain it."
Jones says Fair has also filled a void for her.
"Sometimes when I'm at home, I want someone to play with and to talk to me, take me out and stuff," she said. "Because I only have a brother. You can't do much with boys."
Fair and Jones love spending quality time with each other, exploring new places and new food together. They go to dance and yoga class and make vision boards.
At the bookstore, Jones hears a Duke Ellington track for the first time. It's also her first time listening to a record.
"I like it-- you can kind of groove to it," she said, swaying to the rhythm. "I've never heard one, I've always wanted to."
Fair began looking for volunteer opportunities in the community when she moved to South Florida from New York last year. She had worked with animals and in nursing homes, but never with children. She says she gets as much out of their outings as Jones.
"I remember having a babysitter that made a huge impact on my life when I was young," she said. "I still remember her. I still remember songs that were played in the car when I would drive with her, and I want to have a positive impact on Makayla's life. And while I'm doing that, I'm also being positively impacted. I give my time, and I'm doing it for Makayla, but at the same time, I am doing it for myself, because there is something that is so rewarding about showing a child something new, or giving them an opportunity that maybe otherwise they wouldn't have."
Jones, who is a fourth-grader in Fort Lauderdale, was happy to be matched with a friend to talk to, one who shared her love of adventure, but she's quick to point out that she has a great mom who encourages the relationship.
"My mom, she takes care of us good," she said. "She feeds us. She makes sure we have a roof over our head. She's a nice young lady, and we never need. So, my mom is a good mom. I'm blessed to have a good mom, because some people don't."
Jones' mother wanted her daughter to experience different cultures, so Fair is taking Jones on a world tour through cuisine. Fair gave Jones a map, which she marks with a star every time they eat at a different international restaurant.
"She does nice things, and I get to explore lots of things outside of the world," said Jones. "The different foods we have tried were so awesome. We have tried Argentina, Italy food, Brazil food, Japan food, and tonight we're going to try Jamaican food."
The two leave the bookstore and make their way to the Jamaican restaurant in Tamarac.
"Looks good already," exclaimed Jones, jumping up and down, as she peers through glass at the buffet.
As they converse over yet another dinner, it's clear Jones and Fair were fast friends, each of them changing the other's life for the better.
"All I can say for right now, is she's a good big sister to me," said Jones.
Fair encourages everyone to lend time to be a mentor.
"It's kind of a crazy world sometimes," she said. "And the more people who do positive things, it makes it a little better."
If you are a mentor and would like to share your story with us, please email us at mentoringmatters@cbs.com or CLICK HERE for more information about how you can become a mentor.
