Making Grade as Mentor

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As a young man, I didn’t have a mentor. I had to figure everything out on my own as my parents were first-generation Americans – emigrants from Eastern Europe without ties to this country. Neither had a high school diploma.

Years later, after moving to Los Angeles, I heard about hardships of attending public school in this city and I wanted to help kids who might be challenged with some of the problems I experienced. Friends suggested I consider mentoring with the Fulfillment Fund, a college-access organization that guides students from under-resourced communities of Los Angeles to fulfill dreams of a college education.

My first meeting with my mentee, Andres, was really exciting, but it was also very nerve-wracking. I walked into his family’s home in Central Los Angeles with no idea what to expect. Totally out of my element, this wasn’t a conference room; it wasn’t a team meeting with co-workers. Not only was Andres’ family from a different part of the world, we didn’t even speak the same language. But when I walked in, I met a loving, tight-knit little family where everyone was genuinely warm and welcoming.

For our first outing together, I took Andres to the Fox studio lot where I work. We walked around and I showed him the massive soundstages, the office buildings, my office and some of the sets. He loved it. As we were finishing up the day, I said to him, “You know, there’s no reason why you couldn’t work here someday.” He looked at me bewildered. “All it takes is a college degree.”

Andres was a bright, wonderful kid, but the one thing that had to change was his high school GPA. We discussed the importance of improving his grades before applying to colleges, but I wanted to find something more tangible for him to focus on. I decided to buy him a gift to motivate him – a simple sterling silver pen. I still remember his eyes lighting up when he opened that box. I told him, “This pen is only to be used for your homework.” I hoped it would be something unique to him, to help make homework special, and it wasn’t long after that he made the school honor roll. A novel situation for him, but one he maintained most quarters until he graduated.

As Andres got older, our relationship focused more on college. I thought I would have to be there to guide him through the application process, but he already knew so much about it thanks to the Fulfillment Fund’s in-classroom instruction. I soon realized he knew more about the college process than I did. We talked about my experience at Bowling Green State University and about the realities of my college years. I explained what he could expect out of life if he didn’t go to college. Since no one in Andres’ family has ever been to college, he would later tell me that I played a large role in inspiring him to be the first.

Almost like a parent

After applying to about a dozen colleges, Andres received admission letters from many schools. When he heard from colleges, he called me before speaking to anyone else. And when he was accepted at many, I found myself beaming with each letter and call. At his high school graduation, I sat close to his family and together we proudly watched him walk on stage. I felt almost like a parent to him.

When my family came to the United States, they needed help to overcome the hardships and violence they faced. Andres and his family appreciated a helping hand, too. As with many generations of families, there can be a desire to establish a beachhead in prosperity; Andres has clearly stormed head first into that world. He tells me he wants to come back someday to mentor and help others in his community – an added benefit to my mentorship experience I hadn’t anticipated.

I recently visited Andres at UC Santa Cruz, where he has now completed his freshman year. Proud of his accomplishment of making it to college, he has now assumed the bearing of a “college man.” I noticed the silver pen I gave him four years ago was on his dorm desk. It has remained a special, visual motivator for him, reminding him to do his best.

If more L.A. students could benefit from one-on-one support as they pursue a path to college, Los Angeles would become a stronger, safer and more economically resourceful city. The small number of students who actually graduate from high school and the disappointing low number that go on to college beg for more individual guidance.

Being a Fulfillment Fund mentor has renewed my belief that there are many kids out there who truly want to excel. The years with the Fulfillment Fund and Andres have been an enlightening experience for both of us. I know there are thousands of young people just like Andres who can be exceptional if they have the right guidance. They care very deeply about having a positive future. We should, too.


Rob Evanko is vice president, distribution-business operations at Fox Networks in Los Angeles. He is a mentor and volunteer for the Fulfillment Fund, an L.A.-based non-profit that helps make college a reality for students growing up in educationally and economically under-resourced communities.

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