January 29, 2025 Meet our Friend, Michael! Guiding Growth, Celebrating Progress With a background in psychology, Michael has always understood the importance of early intervention. Through his studies, he learned how a child’s brain is most adaptable in the early years, making mentorship at a young age a powerful tool for long-term success. "I sometimes wish I had the tools and knowledge to give myself an early start when I was younger," Michael reflected. "That’s what led me to mentoring—because now I can give others the head start and guidance they need." As a Friend at Friends of the Children New York, Michael takes a thoughtful approach to mentorship, focusing not just on academic growth but also on perseverance and effort. He believes in setting “process goals” with his Achievers—teaching them to value hard work and progress rather than just outcomes. One of Michael’s Achievers, Zion, is a kindergartener full of curiosity and determination. Over time, Michael has watched Zion grow, both academically and personally. When they’re not working on school assignments, they spend time at the park, where Zion set a goal to complete the monkey bars. After months of practice, he achieved his goal, a milestone that showed his perseverance in action. Beyond academics, Michael has witnessed Zion’s ability to reflect and learn from their time together. "Zion is a great listener and very thoughtful. He often considers his actions and how they align with what he learns from me… He even confesses and apologizes when he feels he’s done something wrong—it’s incredible to see his self-awareness grow." Michael’s commitment to mentorship ensures that Achievers like Zion not only build academic skills but also gain the resilience, confidence, and values that will guide them for years to come.