Midlands Mentoring Partnership is excited to announce our 2014 Mentor of the Year: Dakotah Taylor, a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands.
According to MMP Executive Director, Deborah Neary, “the Mentor of the Year award honors individuals that are committed to helping young people achieve their potential through mentoring. In bestowing this award, MMP looks for mentors whose exceptional commitment and dedication have changed the lives of the youth they serve.”
Dakotah has been a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands for 5 years with her Little, Peggy. Peggy, herself, nominated Dakotah. In the nomination, she stated, “I’ve been through a lot in my life but when I tell or let people read my story I don’t want them to feel bad for me… The most important thing to me though is she has NEVER given up on me because a lot of people have, and I don’t blame them. She tries to do everything and anything in her power to support me and make me happy.”
Dakotah was paired with Peggy at a time in Peggy’s life when she struggled getting along with her family and opening up to others. Today, Peggy is now 16 and confidently and successfully turning her life around.
Dakotah embodies what it means to “stay the course” when mentors find themselves in mentoring relationships that are challenging, complicated, and messy. The match was not easy, and Dakotah had to take extra steps to stay in contact when Peggy was not living at home. But Dakotah was exactly what Peggy needed—consistency, a safety net, and a trusted confidant.
The success of Peggy’s story rests on the trust built between Peggy and Dakotah. According to staff at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands, their mother-daughter relationship has improved and Peggy is maturing into a young adult while being supported by her mentor, Dakotah.
Nichole Turgeon, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands says, “We are so very proud of Dakotah and Peggy. Their relationship is truly a wonderful example of the power of a professionally-created, professionally-supported mentoring relationship. They have faced incredible challenges together and Dakotah gave Peggy hope for her future which has allowed her to persevere. I am confident Peggy is on the path to becoming a successful and happy adult and I know Dakotah will be with her every step of the way.”
Midlands Mentoring Partnership wishes to congratulate Dakotah Taylor. Continue to follow MMP throughout National Mentoring Month. Next week MMP we will discuss the 2014 Mentoring Advocate of the Year. Stay tuned!
