Do you remember the first person you looked up to? Can you recall the person who could not make any mistakes, whose originality made you speechless, and changed you forever?

You may have called that person a mentor or best friend, but basically, you wanted to be just like them.

Sometimes the person you look up to fails you, but others can help change you for the better.

For me, that person was my second grade teacher. She helped me see that I had a gift. She made me aware of my ability to help others. I will always remember Mrs. Theresa and the impact she had on my life.

Now I want to give back as a mentor, counselor, and cheerleader to make youngsters feel valued, gifted and to possess a winning spirit.

Every year at summer camp, I try to be an example for my campers.

I do my best to be "that" person or at least one of them they come to for advice and guidance when they need answers.

I try to be "that" person they remember when someone offers them drugs, "that" person they can call when they are scared and "that" person who made them believe in themselves.

Our week at camp is short, so I am grateful that I have the privilege of being a year-round role model empowering their lives through Advertisement

Primus Golf Academy the COM program.

For the past three years, I have hosted a Christmas party for my campers. I invite my usual girls over to my house for a slumber party.

The party begins with a trip to In-N-Out Burgers, followed by looking at Christmas lights and baking and decorating Christmas cookies.

The party gives the girls a chance to re-connect with one another and reflect upon past memories from camp. These girls are not average; their lives are not those of the all-American girl. They are being raised by single moms.

Their lives are up and down with different people and caregivers coming in and out of their lives with shallow promises of a better tomorrow.

These kids deserve to have someone to lean on and a friend to laugh with! After the party, Tiffani, 11, explained to me how she looks forward to our Christmas slumber party every year!

"I love being able to see my friends from camp," she said. "As a mentor, coach and listener, it feels good to have such great friends and raise their expectations for a prosperous future!"

Lindsay Shepardson, 21, of Wildomar is a Community Outreach Ministry mentor who continues to give children purpose, destiny, and prosperity by making a positive difference in the lives of at risk children in the community, cities and the nation as a whole.

Be the first to share your opinion on this article!