YWLA Alumna Advocates for Mentorship on Capitol Hill

Today, we’re bursting with pride as we celebrate the incredible advocacy work of YWLA alumna Tai Timmerman. On January 24th, Tai took a significant step in her journey of impact by attending her first Capitol Hill Day. Representing her state, she passionately advocated for legislation and public funding to support mentorship programs—an area where she’s passionate and profoundly informed.

Recent studies highlight a troubling gap: one in every three young people grows up without a mentor. This absence is more than a missing opportunity; it represents a deeper divide affecting our country’s youth, expanding notably among America’s youngest generations. Mentorship stands out as a powerful, proactive intervention that can address various challenges simultaneously—education, the needs of foster and disadvantaged youth, community violence, identity development, isolation, and mental health issues.

Tai’s experience on Capitol Hill was nothing short of enlightening. She had the opportunity to share and listen to stories about the transformative impact of mentorship. Encounters like these underscore the critical role mentoring plays in shaping lives and futures.

Tai’s message is clear and powerful: we can be the agents of change we wish to see. To make a difference, we must be willing to “speak life” into the next generation, nurturing and guiding them as they navigate the complexities of growing up.

We are so proud of Tai for standing up and speaking out for her beliefs. Her actions are a testament to the values we hold dear at the Guyanese Girls Rock Foundation, and she truly embodies the spirit of what it means to be a part of this community.