By Robin McHaelen | Executive Director
DJ was 11 when he was first referred to us. He had just come out as gay, maybe trans (mostly he liked wearing beautiful clothes). His dad rejected him totally (even said if he was 'queer' he would kill him.) DJ was angry, agressive with his mom and younger siblings, flunking most subjects in school. His mom insisted he not tell his younger siblings he was 'like that'.
Eight years later? DJ graduated from high school, has a job and is thinking about taking some college course. He is a resource and a role model for his younger siblings and his mom now provides respite for cousins and other kin who are LGBTQ+ and not accepted by their families.
What happened? Was it a miracle? No. It was the power of ONE. An individual just like YOU. Actually two. A lesbian couple became DJ's mentors when he was 11. He is 18 now and they are still his mentors, only now they mentor the whole family. They don't have extra special powers. They didn't have any background in mentoring or therapy or anything like that. They just cared. They walked a road alongside him and his family - not as saviors but as humans who simply cared. And they were as transformed by the experience as their mentee. Their journey together changes ALL of their lives for the better.
That is the power of ONE. True Colors has kids all over Connecticut who need the power of ONE. one person (or a couple) who will meet a kid where they are with care, humor, patience and consistancy.
We need mentors in Litchfield, Shelton, Norwich, New Haven, Middletown - and probably YOUR town.
Money matters, don't get me wrong. Donations allow us to do what we do every day. But you matter too. Might you have a little room in your schedule for a kid who needs you?
All mentors start with a once a month commitment to pick up a kid and attend an event that we organize. Its about 3-4 hours a month. Some folks go on to -one-on-one mentoring like the couple described above; Others remain as group mentors. Both groups make a profound difference for themselves and for the kid they connect with.
The power of ONE. Will it be you?
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